Finance
UK to Call for Toll-Free Strait of Hormuz, Wants Lebanon in Ceasefire Deal
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 9, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 9, 2026
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The UK calls for toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and urges inclusion of Lebanon in the two‑week US‑Iran ceasefire amid conflicting claims over its geographical scope.
UK Urges Toll-Free Strait of Hormuz Shipping, Pushes Lebanon Ceasefire Inclusion
British Foreign Secretary's Stance on Strait of Hormuz and Middle East Ceasefire
UK's Position on Strait of Hormuz Shipping Fees
April 9 (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will say on Thursday that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around a fifth of the world's oil and gas, must be toll-free, countering a push by Iran to control the vital waterway.
Iran's Proposal for Shipping Tolls
Iran has said it wants to charge fees for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Before the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, the strait was formally treated as an international waterway.
Cooper's Statement on Freedom of Navigation
"The fundamental freedoms of the seas must not be unilaterally withdrawn or sold off to individual bidders. Nor can there be any place for tolls on an international waterway. Freedom of navigation means navigation must be free," Cooper will say in an annual foreign policy speech at Mansion House in London, according to advance extracts.
Calls for Lebanon Ceasefire Inclusion
Cooper will also repeat calls by world leaders for Lebanon to be included in a two-week ceasefire agreed between Iran and the U.S. on Tuesday. Israel on Wednesday launched its biggest attacks yet on Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
Recent Developments in Lebanon
(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Key Takeaways
- •UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper insists freedom of navigation must prevail in the Strait of Hormuz, opposing Iran’s push to impose tolls on vessels.
- •Cooper also reiterated demands that Lebanon be included in the newly agreed two‑week ceasefire between the US and Iran, amid divergent claims among regional actors.
- •While Pakistan asserts the ceasefire covers Lebanon, Israel and the US deny this, and Lebanon’s president is actively seeking clarity on the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK to call for toll-free Strait of Hormuz, wants Lebanon in ceasefire deal
1Why is the Strait of Hormuz significant for global trade?
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway carrying around a fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments, making it crucial for global energy markets.
2What is the UK’s position on shipping tolls in the Strait of Hormuz?
The UK opposes any tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, advocating for free international navigation and rejecting Iran’s push to charge fees.
3What did Yvette Cooper announce regarding Lebanon?
Yvette Cooper reiterated calls for Lebanon to be included in a two-week ceasefire agreed by Iran and the United States.
4How has the conflict impacted Lebanon recently?
Israel launched its largest attacks on Lebanon to date, targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia following the ceasefire agreement excluding Lebanon.
