{"id":45599,"date":"2026-04-09T09:37:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T09:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=45599"},"modified":"2026-04-09T09:37:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T09:37:04","slug":"iran-cannot-hijack-strait-of-hormuz-with-shipping-tolls-says-yvette-cooper-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=45599","title":{"rendered":"Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69d76e378f083a7f17e5d837&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Two men and two women have died after a small boat sank in the Channel between France and Britain, French local authorities have said. &lt;strong&gt;Diane Taylor&lt;\/strong&gt; has the story.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;59edb818-d135-40dc-8392-2fb267ede81f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Four people die in Channel small-boat sinking&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9fefb700-6903-4161-950d-c055d0697832&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/apr\/09\/people-die-in-channel-small-boat-sinking&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Commenting on the deaths, a &lt;strong&gt;UK government spokesperson&lt;\/strong&gt; said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;771197ae-731f-4617-b8a0-9fda1ee3a691&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We are deeply saddened to hear about the deaths in French waters today.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Every death in the Channel is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We will continue working relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The French authorities are leading the response to this incident and we are supporting their investigation.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8a32b7dd-28f8-40c2-ad92-6f70cd96d559&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1775726135000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.15\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1775726253000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.17\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1775726254000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.17\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;05.17&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Four people die in Channel small-boat sinking&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 9 Apr 2026 05.31 EDT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 9 Apr 2026 03.54 EDT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69d76a758f083a7f17e5d7ff&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; has held a meeting in the UAE this morning with defence officials from so-called &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/chief-of-defence-staff-hosts-dragon-group-with-gulf-partners\\&quot;&gt;Dragon Group partners&lt;\/a&gt; in the Middle East, No 10 has said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;25f451e6-6ef2-4d5f-a78c-f6dfef707860&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He thanked them for what they had done to protect British nationals in the region during the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Iran&lt;\/a&gt; war and discussed plans for the future, stressing the need to make the ceasefire permanent and not allowing Iran to hold the strait of Hormuz \u201cto ransom\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;46379089-45a6-42ee-afa0-33315e5fc3ce&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The meeting in Abu Dhabi was chaired by Sir Richard Knighton, the UK\u2019s chief of defence staff, and it included defence representatives from: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq and Egypt.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3f9e85d7-f694-4585-934d-56a4be3de49d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Starmer told them that the UK had been pushing for de-escalation all along and therefore welcomed the ceasefire.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;00b24f1e-3639-4466-86a4-54d9499fba7c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Some of those attending had participated in the virtual military planning meeting chaired by &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/yvette-cooper\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Yvette Cooper&lt;\/a&gt; on Tuesday for around 40 nations to discuss how the strait of Hormuz could be kept open after fighting is over.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d85da2d4-2333-4766-8fbb-1482266115c0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Starmer told them that work was not starting on detailed plans to restore freedom of navigation.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;dabace54-79da-4731-8aa6-fe3167b86378&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1775725173000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.59\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1775726085000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.14\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1775726085000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;05.14\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;05.14&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Starmer holds talks in UAE with Gulf defence chiefs to discuss options for reopening strait of Hormuz&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 9 Apr 2026 05.31 EDT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 9 Apr 2026 03.54 EDT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69d7660c8f083a7f17e5d7da&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yvette Cooper&lt;\/strong&gt;, the foreign secretary, will say more about the importance of keeping the strait of Hormuz open in her Mansion House speech in the City of London this evening.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3f447bd0-eabf-4970-a82c-7d878166aff4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;According to an extract released in advance, she will say:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5e196d48-a060-44d7-abbd-6e1c3113f84f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Fertiliser for Africa, liquid natural gas for Asia, jet fuel for the world; the trading route for Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Oman, all hijacked by Iran so they can hold the global economy hostage.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;No country can close these routes \u2013 it goes against the fundamental principles of the law of the sea. In Britain, the importance of this runs deep through our history, our interests and our values. We are an island nation. A maritime economy. 95% of our trade is carried by sea. Around 40% of our food is imported.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;It was Victorian Britain that pioneered the freedom of the seas, maritime law, and made piracy a crime of universal jurisdiction. And today, we know more than ever that freedom of navigation is the underpinning of global trade. It matters for every sea, ocean and strait. Every country has a stake in this. Every industry is affected by it.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We should start immediately to get international shipping moving again by supporting the International Maritime Organisation\u2019s proposals to move the ships trapped in the strait, and the 20,000 stranded seafarers \u2013 a humanitarian as well as an economic first step. And then the full and unconditional reopening of the strait must be a central part not just of the current ceasefire but of the long-term future for the region.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9b50d705-80e6-4c81-b64e-65c24ffe9b56&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1775724044000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.40\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1775724321000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.45\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1775724321000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.45\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.45&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cooper says global trade relies 'more than ever' on freedom of navigation, as she insists on full reopening of strait of Hormuz&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 9 Apr 2026 05.31 EDT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 9 Apr 2026 03.54 EDT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69d763368f0892bae50d7f20&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yvette Cooper&lt;\/strong&gt; has described Donald Trump\u2019s threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation earlier this week as \u201ccompletely wrong\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fc60e9e6-4094-4a12-adf8-1ca207dd1e09&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Trump\u2019s language about Iran became increasingly aggressive and barbaric ahead of the ceasefire, culminating with &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116363336033995961\\&quot;&gt;a Truth Social post on Tuesday &lt;\/a&gt;saying \u201ca whole civilisation will die tonight\u201d if Iran did not comply with US demands.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0e2673d5-4bb6-48c3-87f6-09f6ffa3b78b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;While some opposition politicians, and backbench &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Labour&lt;\/a&gt; MPs, denounced the president language very strongly, No 10 did not respond.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5ae43368-23a4-4e44-ae0a-9b5b822c4112&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But, speaking &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/politics-latest-wes-streeting-doctors-strike-labour-keir-starmer-iran-war-12593360\\&quot;&gt;to Sky News this morning&lt;\/a&gt;, Cooper did condemn Trump\u2019s comments. She said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7b90bf62-a5fd-4616-b2a9-221e44704f9b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;We take a different view from the US on issues, and it is possible for us to be strong, close partners on a whole range of issues, but also to take different decisions on issues.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I think that the rhetoric that we\u2019ve seen used, I think, has been completely wrong. I think that sort of escalatory rhetoric can have escalatory consequences.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9513d783-23f6-4857-a42e-b3e70fdaec73&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Cooper also said that it was important to distinguish between the oppressive Iranian regime and the Iranian people as a whole.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3fbc9530-89a9-47ea-9aca-cca24be392f1&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;More significantly, we should always distinguish between this malign Iranian regime that we have seen threaten its neighbours over a long time, and the people of Iran, many of whom have been brutally repressed by this Iranian regime.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5d3978ad-d8cf-4627-b26e-554cf45e7a60&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1775723318000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.28\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1775723871000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.37\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1775723871000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.37\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.37&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Trump's threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation earlier this week 'completely wrong', Cooper says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 9 Apr 2026 05.31 EDT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 9 Apr 2026 03.54 EDT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69d75fd58f087b69e62b8a64&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; met &lt;strong&gt;Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&lt;\/strong&gt;, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, yesterday. Unlike, say, Donald Trump, MBS (as he is sometimes called) is not a man for press conferences. But No 10 did release a readout of the talks afterwards. It says Starmer declared Saudi Arabia to be a \u201csteadfast ally\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8a059b2c-44d5-44cd-85e1-d6181c4e958a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;For the record, here is the full readout. A No 10 spokesperson said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c67f6bee-d460-4a16-bb51-8ca0f6c0b97e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The prime minister began by welcoming the ceasefire and set out how efforts must now be focused on upholding it and turning it into a lasting peace.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;He was clear that it was vital now to continue work to reopen the strait of Hormuz, and discussed the UK\u2019s ongoing efforts to convene partners to agree and plan the practical steps required to give shipping the confidence to transit the strait.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Reflecting on the defensive operations which have taken place in the region since the conflict began, the prime minister thanked His Royal Highness for Saudi Arabia\u2019s efforts to protect British nationals in the country.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The prime minister committed to continue to support Saudi Arabia as a steadfast ally including through the recent deployment of the Sky Sabre air defence system, having met UK personnel deployed to operate it earlier today.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The leaders then discussed how the UK and Saudi Arabia could further deepen their defence industrial cooperation to boost capability and mutual security for the long term, as well as continuing to grow their thriving trade and investment relationship.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The prime minister said he was pleased that the UK and Saudi Arabia would soon be marking 100 years of friendship under the Treaty of Jeddah and they looked forward to speaking again 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two men talking in large armchairs in a wood-panelled room and their countries' flags hanging behind them&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer meeting Saudi Arabia\u2019s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: WPA\/Getty Images&quot;}}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1775722453000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.14\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1775723401000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.30\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1775723048000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.24\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;How Starmer described Saudi Arabia as 'steadfast ally' in talks with Mohammed bin Salman&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 9 Apr 2026 05.31 EDT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 9 Apr 2026 03.54 EDT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69d75d688f087b69e62b8a43&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yvette Cooper&lt;\/strong&gt;, the foreign secretary, told Sky News this morning that she was \u201cdeeply troubled\u201d by Israel\u2019s ongoing air strikes in Lebanon. She said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;92b23592-9b43-4dd2-b76c-bd1b1999546a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I\u2019m deeply troubled about the escalating attacks that we saw from Israel in Lebanon yesterday. We\u2019ve seen the humanitarian consequences, the huge mass displacement of people in Lebanon.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e3345ac0-044f-48e8-a786-8a1da3be6d56&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1775721833000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.03\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1775722378000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.12\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1775722378000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.12\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;04.12&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Cooper says she's 'deeply troubled' by Israel's escalating attacks in Lebanon&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 9 Apr 2026 05.31 EDT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 9 Apr 2026 03.54 EDT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69d74ae18f0892bae50d7e7e&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning. Keir Starmer is still in the Gulf, and &lt;strong&gt;Yvette Cooper&lt;\/strong&gt;, the foreign secretary, has been doing a round of interviews this morning, ahead of delivering a speech on foreign policy this evening.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2d156f99-da90-4cf1-9a27-578516df4a2e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;As &lt;strong&gt;Jamie Grierson&lt;\/strong&gt; reports, Cooper has been arguing forcefully that &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/lebanon\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Lebanon&lt;\/a&gt; must be included in the US-Iran ceasefire.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8d18f870-2259-4f99-964c-269cf6fd7d0f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Lebanon must be included in US-Iran ceasefire deal, Yvette Cooper to say&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9a5bd910-193e-451a-b329-ad92c4b27869&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/apr\/09\/lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-deal-yvette-cooper&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;But &lt;strong&gt;Cooper&lt;\/strong&gt; is also trying to quash suggestions that, as part of a permanent settlement, Iran might be allowed to carry on charging a $2m-a-ship toll for oil tankers wanting to pass through the strait of Hormuz. Rather alarminingly, Donald Trump has even suggested that the US might be part of this, &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/abcnews.com\/International\/live-updates\/iran-live-updates-casualties-reported-missile-strikes-israel?id=131757074&amp;entryId=131829826\\&quot;&gt;as a \u201cjoint venture\u201d with Iran.&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4423030b-8e5b-4b93-a9d2-449188b0b4d4&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In an interview on the Today programme, Cooper made it clear that charging a toll for passage through the strait would be unaccepable to the UK.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b9018ed4-ab46-4024-aa48-8cd0b77fd6c8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;She said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;20b80433-7709-42c6-aa52-562542ee7d4e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The starting point here is this is an international transit route. It\u2019s international shipping that uses this. This is part of the international law of the sea. This is a a route between the high seas; it is a trading route.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;33e2dc0e-f13c-4a80-820a-7b93ee2f11e0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;When it was put to her that &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Iran&lt;\/a&gt; takes the view that these are territorial waters, not international waters, Cooper said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;527ad533-6ddb-4f77-9674-b34e3021f2c5&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;As part of the international maritime law, this is a transit route between the high seas.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;And whether you talk about Dover or Gibraltar or other straits around the world, there may be territorial waters there, but there\u2019s also an international shipping route and an international transit route, which means that freedom of navigation principles apply and that countries cannot simply hijack those kinds of international transit routes and unilaterally apply tolls. They cannot do that as part of the laws of the sea and the United Nations conventions.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;094d0ce9-0c6b-4789-8817-89c1c03a5730&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Cooper said that protecting freedom of navigation throught the strait was \u201ccrucial for the global economy\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8daf912b-ad0f-41ce-a7d4-700425c74398&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;I will post more from her interviews soon.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c760f14d-9133-46c7-9866-b23900cd7592&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Here is the agenda for the day.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0bb88761-1b3c-4d84-8327-3b3a38e2feaa&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Morning:&lt;\/em&gt; Keir Starmer is in the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/united-arab-emirates\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;United Arab Emirates&lt;\/a&gt; where he is expected to hold talks with the president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later in the day he has another bilateral planned, and he is recording an interview with ITV\u2019s Robert Peston.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;94980276-83d1-42f7-a9cf-e076621c261f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;10.30am:&lt;\/em&gt; &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/zack-polanski\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Zack Polanski&lt;\/a&gt;, the Green leader, launches his party\u2019s local elections campaign at an event in London.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9d4ce57b-f403-4aaa-85a0-e146e38eaa2e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;11am:&lt;\/em&gt; Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Plaid Cymru leader, launches his party\u2019s manifesto for the Senedd election at an event in Wrexham.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;556e731a-2e28-43ec-b68c-aecb3a41e129&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Morning:&lt;\/em&gt; Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, is doing a campaign visit in Greater Manchester.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;bb1a0a68-ecf1-46ab-af72-04ba5d1a695b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;facea03c-a6f2-4802-9576-aa3ed3ee8cdb&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\\&quot;&gt;given up posting from its official accounts on X&lt;\/a&gt;, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d6a2883c-c4ec-48e9-9934-8096b7e2e739&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1e9e4897-77a6-4fb4-9443-ed47b6ee8dac&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1775721279000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;03.54\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1775722396000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;04.13\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1775721279000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;03.54\u00a0EDT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;03.54&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 9 Apr 2026 05.31 EDT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 9 Apr 2026 03.54 EDT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1775727423878}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-69d76f108f083a7f17e5d844\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In interviews this morning <strong>Yvette Cooper<\/strong>, the foreign secretary, declined to confirm <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/starmer-under-fire-russian-warship-36987391\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">reports<\/a> that a Russian warship has been escorting two sanctioned Russian ships through the English channel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Sanctioned Russian ships carry oil being sold to fund the war in Ukraine, and the UK government recently announced that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/mar\/25\/uk-armed-forces-authorised-to-board-russia-tankers-shadow-fleet\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">the armed forces have been authorised to board these ships in British waters to stop them<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked about the story on LBC, Cooper said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>What I can tell you is that we have given permission now for action to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet. Operational decisions then have to be taken in the right way by the military.<\/p>\n<p>There are indications of the way in which not just the Russian shadow fleet is operating, but also the way in which we are seeing increased Russian threats, not just to the UK, but across Europe as well.<\/p>\n<p>We will be saying more about this shortly.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d76f108f083a7f17e5d844&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d76f108f083a7f17e5d844&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d76f108f083a7f17e5d844#block-69d76f108f083a7f17e5d844\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69d76e378f083a7f17e5d837\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Four people die in Channel small-boat sinking<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Two men and two women have died after a small boat sank in the Channel between France and Britain, French local authorities have said. <strong>Diane Taylor<\/strong> has the story.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"9eec55e7-0f4a-4235-8b8f-3add7af7452d\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:1,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Four people die in Channel small-boat sinking&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;9eec55e7-0f4a-4235-8b8f-3add7af7452d&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/apr\/09\/people-die-in-channel-small-boat-sinking&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Commenting on the deaths, a <strong>UK government spokesperson<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>We are deeply saddened to hear about the deaths in French waters today.<\/p>\n<p>Every death in the Channel is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit.<\/p>\n<p>We will continue working relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys.<\/p>\n<p>The French authorities are leading the response to this incident and we are supporting their investigation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d76e378f083a7f17e5d837&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d76e378f083a7f17e5d837&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d76e378f083a7f17e5d837#block-69d76e378f083a7f17e5d837\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69d76a758f083a7f17e5d7ff\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Starmer holds talks in UAE with Gulf defence chiefs to discuss options for reopening strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> has held a meeting in the UAE this morning with defence officials from so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/chief-of-defence-staff-hosts-dragon-group-with-gulf-partners\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Dragon Group partners<\/a> in the Middle East, No 10 has said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He thanked them for what they had done to protect British nationals in the region during the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Iran<\/a> war and discussed plans for the future, stressing the need to make the ceasefire permanent and not allowing Iran to hold the strait of Hormuz \u201cto ransom\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The meeting in Abu Dhabi was chaired by Sir Richard Knighton, the UK\u2019s chief of defence staff, and it included defence representatives from: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq and Egypt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Starmer told them that the UK had been pushing for de-escalation all along and therefore welcomed the ceasefire.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Some of those attending had participated in the virtual military planning meeting chaired by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/yvette-cooper\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Yvette Cooper<\/a> on Tuesday for around 40 nations to discuss how the strait of Hormuz could be kept open after fighting is over.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Starmer told them that work was not starting on detailed plans to restore freedom of navigation.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d76a758f083a7f17e5d7ff&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d76a758f083a7f17e5d7ff&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d76a758f083a7f17e5d7ff#block-69d76a758f083a7f17e5d7ff\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69d7660c8f083a7f17e5d7da\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Cooper says global trade relies &#8216;more than ever&#8217; on freedom of navigation, as she insists on full reopening of strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Yvette Cooper<\/strong>, the foreign secretary, will say more about the importance of keeping the strait of Hormuz open in her Mansion House speech in the City of London this evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">According to an extract released in advance, she will say:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Fertiliser for Africa, liquid natural gas for Asia, jet fuel for the world; the trading route for Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Oman, all hijacked by Iran so they can hold the global economy hostage.<\/p>\n<p>No country can close these routes \u2013 it goes against the fundamental principles of the law of the sea. In Britain, the importance of this runs deep through our history, our interests and our values. We are an island nation. A maritime economy. 95% of our trade is carried by sea. Around 40% of our food is imported.<\/p>\n<p>It was Victorian Britain that pioneered the freedom of the seas, maritime law, and made piracy a crime of universal jurisdiction. And today, we know more than ever that freedom of navigation is the underpinning of global trade. It matters for every sea, ocean and strait. Every country has a stake in this. Every industry is affected by it.<\/p>\n<p>We should start immediately to get international shipping moving again by supporting the International Maritime Organisation\u2019s proposals to move the ships trapped in the strait, and the 20,000 stranded seafarers \u2013 a humanitarian as well as an economic first step. And then the full and unconditional reopening of the strait must be a central part not just of the current ceasefire but of the long-term future for the region.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d7660c8f083a7f17e5d7da&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d7660c8f083a7f17e5d7da&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d7660c8f083a7f17e5d7da#block-69d7660c8f083a7f17e5d7da\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69d765a58f087b69e62b8a83\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<figure id=\"711fd496-8de5-41f3-b751-3df9d166c21c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Keir Starmer meeting the governor of Mecca during his visit to Jeddah City yesterday.<\/span> Photograph: Simon Dawson\/No 10 Downing Street<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d765a58f087b69e62b8a83&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d765a58f087b69e62b8a83&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d765a58f087b69e62b8a83#block-69d765a58f087b69e62b8a83\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69d763368f0892bae50d7f20\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Trump&#8217;s threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation earlier this week &#8216;completely wrong&#8217;, Cooper says<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Yvette Cooper<\/strong> has described Donald Trump\u2019s threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation earlier this week as \u201ccompletely wrong\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Trump\u2019s language about Iran became increasingly aggressive and barbaric ahead of the ceasefire, culminating with <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116363336033995961\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a Truth Social post on Tuesday <\/a>saying \u201ca whole civilisation will die tonight\u201d if Iran did not comply with US demands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">While some opposition politicians, and backbench <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/labour\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labour<\/a> MPs, denounced the president language very strongly, No 10 did not respond.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But, speaking <a href=\"https:\/\/news.sky.com\/story\/politics-latest-wes-streeting-doctors-strike-labour-keir-starmer-iran-war-12593360\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">to Sky News this morning<\/a>, Cooper did condemn Trump\u2019s comments. She said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>We take a different view from the US on issues, and it is possible for us to be strong, close partners on a whole range of issues, but also to take different decisions on issues.<\/p>\n<p>I think that the rhetoric that we\u2019ve seen used, I think, has been completely wrong. I think that sort of escalatory rhetoric can have escalatory consequences.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Cooper also said that it was important to distinguish between the oppressive Iranian regime and the Iranian people as a whole.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>More significantly, we should always distinguish between this malign Iranian regime that we have seen threaten its neighbours over a long time, and the people of Iran, many of whom have been brutally repressed by this Iranian regime.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d763368f0892bae50d7f20&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d763368f0892bae50d7f20&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d763368f0892bae50d7f20#block-69d763368f0892bae50d7f20\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69d75fd58f087b69e62b8a64\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">How Starmer described Saudi Arabia as &#8216;steadfast ally&#8217; in talks with Mohammed bin Salman<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> met <strong>Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman<\/strong>, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, yesterday. Unlike, say, Donald Trump, MBS (as he is sometimes called) is not a man for press conferences. But No 10 did release a readout of the talks afterwards. It says Starmer declared Saudi Arabia to be a \u201csteadfast ally\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">For the record, here is the full readout. A No 10 spokesperson said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The prime minister began by welcoming the ceasefire and set out how efforts must now be focused on upholding it and turning it into a lasting peace.<\/p>\n<p>He was clear that it was vital now to continue work to reopen the strait of Hormuz, and discussed the UK\u2019s ongoing efforts to convene partners to agree and plan the practical steps required to give shipping the confidence to transit the strait.<\/p>\n<p>Reflecting on the defensive operations which have taken place in the region since the conflict began, the prime minister thanked His Royal Highness for Saudi Arabia\u2019s efforts to protect British nationals in the country.<\/p>\n<p>The prime minister committed to continue to support Saudi Arabia as a steadfast ally including through the recent deployment of the Sky Sabre air defence system, having met UK personnel deployed to operate it earlier today.<\/p>\n<p>The leaders then discussed how the UK and Saudi Arabia could further deepen their defence industrial cooperation to boost capability and mutual security for the long term, as well as continuing to grow their thriving trade and investment relationship.<\/p>\n<p>The prime minister said he was pleased that the UK and Saudi Arabia would soon be marking 100 years of friendship under the Treaty of Jeddah and they looked forward to speaking again soon.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"3e947073-99cb-43ed-9ef4-23c1772c26b2\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Keir Starmer meeting Saudi Arabia\u2019s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.<\/span> Photograph: WPA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d75fd58f087b69e62b8a64&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d75fd58f087b69e62b8a64&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d75fd58f087b69e62b8a64#block-69d75fd58f087b69e62b8a64\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-04-09T08:30:01.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 04:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time\">04.30 EDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69d75d688f087b69e62b8a43\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Cooper says she&#8217;s &#8216;deeply troubled&#8217; by Israel&#8217;s escalating attacks in Lebanon<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Yvette Cooper<\/strong>, the foreign secretary, told Sky News this morning that she was \u201cdeeply troubled\u201d by Israel\u2019s ongoing air strikes in Lebanon. She said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>I\u2019m deeply troubled about the escalating attacks that we saw from Israel in Lebanon yesterday. We\u2019ve seen the humanitarian consequences, the huge mass displacement of people in Lebanon.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d75d688f087b69e62b8a43&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d75d688f087b69e62b8a43&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d75d688f087b69e62b8a43#block-69d75d688f087b69e62b8a43\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69d75ca48f0892bae50d7ede\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<figure id=\"8ccf54ff-df2c-43a3-af9e-1c295bb69074\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Keir Starmer arriving at Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, where he was met by Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, the chair of the executive affairs authority.<\/span> Photograph: Alastair Grant\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"d03a19d8-fa86-4db6-9a2d-b117e4620128\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Starmer is expected to meet Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president, later.<\/span> Photograph: Alastair Grant\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d75ca48f0892bae50d7ede&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d75ca48f0892bae50d7ede&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69d75ca48f0892bae50d7ede#block-69d75ca48f0892bae50d7ede\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-04-09T08:23:23.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-us\" title=\"Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 04:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time\">04.23 EDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69d74ae18f0892bae50d7e7e\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning. Keir Starmer is still in the Gulf, and <strong>Yvette Cooper<\/strong>, the foreign secretary, has been doing a round of interviews this morning, ahead of delivering a speech on foreign policy this evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As <strong>Jamie Grierson<\/strong> reports, Cooper has been arguing forcefully that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/lebanon\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Lebanon<\/a> must be included in the US-Iran ceasefire.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"4ddbe1a1-2e03-4ebb-9103-aceba7d94cb7\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:2,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Lebanon must be included in US-Iran ceasefire deal, Yvette Cooper to say&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4ddbe1a1-2e03-4ebb-9103-aceba7d94cb7&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/apr\/09\/lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-deal-yvette-cooper&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But <strong>Cooper<\/strong> is also trying to quash suggestions that, as part of a permanent settlement, Iran might be allowed to carry on charging a $2m-a-ship toll for oil tankers wanting to pass through the strait of Hormuz. Rather alarminingly, Donald Trump has even suggested that the US might be part of this, <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/International\/live-updates\/iran-live-updates-casualties-reported-missile-strikes-israel?id=131757074&amp;entryId=131829826\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">as a \u201cjoint venture\u201d with Iran.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In an interview on the Today programme, Cooper made it clear that charging a toll for passage through the strait would be unaccepable to the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">She said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The starting point here is this is an international transit route. It\u2019s international shipping that uses this. This is part of the international law of the sea. This is a a route between the high seas; it is a trading route.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">When it was put to her that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Iran<\/a> takes the view that these are territorial waters, not international waters, Cooper said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>As part of the international maritime law, this is a transit route between the high seas.<\/p>\n<p>And whether you talk about Dover or Gibraltar or other straits around the world, there may be territorial waters there, but there\u2019s also an international shipping route and an international transit route, which means that freedom of navigation principles apply and that countries cannot simply hijack those kinds of international transit routes and unilaterally apply tolls. They cannot do that as part of the laws of the sea and the United Nations conventions.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Cooper said that protecting freedom of navigation throught the strait was \u201ccrucial for the global economy\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I will post more from her interviews soon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Here is the agenda for the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Morning:<\/em> Keir Starmer is in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/united-arab-emirates\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">United Arab Emirates<\/a> where he is expected to hold talks with the president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later in the day he has another bilateral planned, and he is recording an interview with ITV\u2019s Robert Peston.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>10.30am:<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/zack-polanski\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Zack Polanski<\/a>, the Green leader, launches his party\u2019s local elections campaign at an event in London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>11am:<\/em> Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Plaid Cymru leader, launches his party\u2019s manifesto for the Senedd election at an event in Wrexham.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em>Morning:<\/em> Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, is doing a campaign visit in Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to contact me, please post a message below the line when comments are open (between 10am and 3pm), or message me on social media. I can\u2019t read all the messages BTL, but if you put \u201cAndrew\u201d in a message aimed at me, I am more likely to see it because I search for posts containing that word.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you want to flag something up urgently, it is best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2024\/nov\/13\/the-guardian-no-longer-post-on-x-twitter-elon-musk\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">given up posting from its official accounts on X<\/a>, but individual Guardian journalists are there, I still have my account, and if you message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I will see it and respond if necessary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I find it very helpful when readers point out mistakes, even minor typos. No error is too small to correct. And I find your questions very interesting too. I can\u2019t promise to reply to them all, but I will try to reply to as many as I can, either BTL or sometimes in the blog.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/apr\/09\/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69d74ae18f0892bae50d7e7e&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69d74ae18f0892bae50d7e7e&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Iran cannot \u2018hijack\u2019 strait of Hormuz with shipping tolls, says Yvette Cooper \u2013 UK politics 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morning Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, declined to 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