Global response to Iran's closure of Strait of Hormuz and economic impact
Consensus Summary
Global leaders from over 40 countries, including Australia and the UK, convened an urgent meeting on April 2, 2026, to address Iran’s near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for 20% of the world’s crude oil. The closure has triggered soaring fuel prices and economic disruptions worldwide, with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accusing Iran of 'holding the global economy hostage.' While the US, under President Donald Trump, declined to participate, urging allies to secure their own oil, France proposed an international escort mission for tankers post-conflict. Australia, represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, emphasized diplomatic and civilian initiatives, though reports suggest a small contingent of special forces was deployed to the Middle East. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of escalating risks, calling for an immediate halt to strikes by the US, Israel, and Iran to prevent a wider regional war. Follow-up military planning meetings are scheduled, but consensus remains on avoiding offensive action, with Iran reportedly negotiating a monitoring protocol with Oman.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong joined an extraordinary meeting on April 2, 2026, convened by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s crude oil passes, leading to spiraling fuel prices and economic strain.
- The UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accused Iran of 'holding the global economy hostage' during the meeting.
- Ministers agreed on the importance of continued coordination and collective action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing diplomatic and civilian initiatives.
- The meeting involved ministers from more than 40 countries, including Australia, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates.
- The UK will hold a follow-up meeting of military planners next week to discuss options for securing the Strait of Hormuz.
- The US did not attend the meeting, with President Donald Trump stating allies should 'go get your own oil' and that securing the Strait of Hormuz was not America’s job.
- Iran was drafting a protocol with Oman to monitor traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media.
- The Philippines negotiated passage of goods through the Strait of Hormuz, with its Department of Foreign Affairs confirming assurances from Iran’s foreign minister for safe passage.
- The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the Middle East conflict risks spiraling into a wider war, calling for an immediate halt to US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian attacks on neighbors.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Donald Trump told allies in his first national address since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 to 'build up some delayed courage' and said the Strait of Hormuz would 'open up naturally' once the conflict was over.
- Australia is not taking offensive action against Iran and is not deploying troops on the ground in Iran, though a small contingent of around 90 Special Air Services members were sent to the Middle East two weeks prior and are on standby.
- Australia deployed ADF personnel, air-to-air missiles, and an E-7A Wedgetail reconnaissance plane to the United Arab Emirates early in the war.
- Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that Thursday’s meetings were 'really productive' and focused on civil and diplomatic options, though she did not deny reports of Australian special forces deployment.
- French President Emmanuel Macron called reopening the Strait of Hormuz through military operation 'unrealistic' and pushed for an international mission involving European and non-European nations to escort tankers after the conflict.
- Italy, the Netherlands, and the UAE called for a 'humanitarian corridor' for fertiliser and essentials through the Strait of Hormuz to avoid a food disaster in Africa.
- The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the military planners' meeting would discuss 'diplomatic options' (likely a typo, intended as 'military options') to make the Strait of Hormuz accessible and safe.
- The UN Secretary-General’s warning included specific examples of economic strain in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, and communities beyond, linking the conflict to rising food and energy costs.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Newscomau states that 25 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the 24 hours leading up to the meeting, while ABC does not provide a specific number but emphasizes the drastic reduction from the usual 150 vessels per day.
- Newscomau mentions that Australia is 'not involved in offensive action overseas' and that special forces are 'helping in defence of our Gulf partners,' while ABC does not explicitly confirm or deny the deployment of special forces but focuses on diplomatic efforts.
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