Strait of Hormuz: Merchant Shipping

Lord Watts Excerpts

Monday 20th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

We have always said that any support that we have given to the Americans has been for defensive purposes. As the noble and learned Baroness will know, we have continually called for a ceasefire, as it initially was, the maintenance of the memorandum of understanding and the de-escalation of activity by any nation. We stand by that.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, is it not the case that we need to be realistic that the greatest military power in the world cannot put enough arms in that area to resolve the present conflict and the only way this is going to be resolved is by discussion and debate? Does the Minister agree that we need to increase that dialogue?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

I agree. The point we continue to make to our friends and allies in the region, and to the Americans, is that, in the end, dialogue, discussion and an agreement acceptable to all are what we all need to work towards. My noble friend is right to point that out, and we will continue to do all we can to bring that about.