Audio By Carbonatix The UK will not be involved in enforcing the US military blockade of Iran, the BBC understands. British naval ships and soldiers will not be used to block Iranian ports, while UK minesweepers and anti-drone capabilities will continue operating in the region. A spokesperson for the UK government said: "We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home." The US announced the blockade after talks with Iran failed to secure a lasting peace deal to end hostilities in the Middle East, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged "de-escalation" in the region. After US and Iran negotiators met in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, President Donald Trump said the US would start "BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz". The US Central Command (Centcom) later confirmed its forces would enforce the blockade "impartially" on vessels leaving and entering Iranian ports, including those located in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Centcom added that US forces would not impede the freedom of vessels transiting to and from non-Iranian ports, and that additional information would be provided to commercial mariners via a formal notice before the blockade starts. Trump told Fox News that other countries would be involved in blockading the strait, but did not say which ones. He added that Nato offered to help "clean out" the strait, adding that it would be free to use again "in not too long a distance". Trump said the US would bring in minesweepers, and that the UK - a member of Nato - would too. "I understand the UK and a couple of other countries are sending minesweepers," Trump said. Around one-fifth of global oil and liquified natural gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran effectively cutting off the waterway since US-Israeli strikes began on 28 February. Sir Keir has repeatedly ruled out direct UK military involvement in the conflict. Instead, the UK has repeatedly called for the Strait to be reopened as oil prices surge under Iran's embargo. Global benchmark Brent crude oil rose above $US100 following the blockade announcement. In an earlier call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Sir Keir underlined "the need work with a wide coalition of partners to protect freedom of navigation" in the Strait of Hormuz". "We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation," a UK government spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that ships crossing through the Strait of Hormuz "must not be subject to tolling", after reports emerged that Iran has started demanding $2m (£1.5m) in transit fees for tankers passing through the Strait. While the UK was not involved in the US-Iran talks in Pakistan, Sir Keir warned against "further escalation" in the Middle East after two sides failed to reach an agreement. Last week, Sir Keir visited four Gulf countries in what the prime minister billed as efforts to secure relations with allies in the region. Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to travel to Washington this week for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting to advocate for re-opening the Hormuz shipping channel. DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Tags: Donald Trump Iran war Keir Starmer Strait of Hormuz DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Related to this story Oil back above $100 as US to blockade Iranian ports after peace talks fail US to blockade Iran after talks fail to yield a deal Trump attacks Pope Leo, calling him ‘weak’ on crime and ‘terrible’ Trump’s blockade threat raises risks and leaves predicaments unchanged Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade threat raises risks and leaves predicaments unchanged Trump unveils giant gold-accented victory arch design for US capital EU airline industry warns of fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz stays closed Airline pilots fear retribution over refusing to fly in Middle East, aviators’ group says Trump says US military to stay around Iran; threatens action if Tehran fails to comply with deal Oil rises as investors remain wary US-Iran ceasefire will open supply flow Latest Stories Oil back above $100 as US to blockade Iranian ports after peace talks fail14 minutes Viktor Orbán’s Hungarian experiment runs out of steam22 minutes US to blockade Iran after talks fail to yield a deal33 minutes Trump attacks Pope Leo, calling him ‘weak’ on crime and ‘terrible’52 minutes UK will not join Trump’s blockade of Iran’s ports in the Strait of Hormuz1 hour Pope prioritises world’s fastest-growing Catholic region in major Africa tour1 hour UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition4 hours McIlroy proves he really is free by defending Masters title4 hours Orbán era swept away by Péter Magyar’s Hungary election landslide5 hours Trump’s blockade threat raises risks and leaves predicaments unchanged5 hours At least 30 feared dead in crush at Haitian tourist site5 hours Four arrested over murder of Scottish businessman in Kenya5 hours New Mainoo deal closer, says Man Utd boss Carrick5 hours Sinner beats Alcaraz to return to world top spot6 hours An inappropriate joke nearly ended his career. Now he’s back with more humour6 hours