U.S. and Britain foreign ministers stress their shared commitment to safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. and Britain foreign ministers stress their shared commitment to safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz

🔸Secretary of State of the United States Marco Rubio and Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband on Wednesday, 14 Mordad, in a meeting in Washington, stressed the two countries’ commitment to the safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

🔸According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, the parties also discussed the importance of Europe playing a greater role in providing their security.

🔸The U.S. State Department said the two sides stressed their shared commitment to safe travel and passage in the Strait of Hormuz and to ensuring that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon or develops it.

🔸In a statement released ahead of the meeting, Miliband emphasized the importance of reopening this waterway of the Persian Gulf in order to reduce pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis in Britain. He said he would also raise the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.

🔸Before the meeting, Rubio told reporters that the issue of Ukraine would also be on the agenda.

🔸Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, has increased his requests to allies for receiving more air defense systems and missiles at the same time as Russia’s ballistic missile attacks intensify.

🔸According to the UK Foreign, Office, Miliband emphasizes that Ukraine’s security is not separate from Europe’s security and the wider transatlantic area, and once again reiterates Britain’s commitment to stand by Ukraine “for as long as it is needed.”

🔸This is the second meeting between Miliband and Rubio after their brief acquaintance at the ASEAN summit in Manila in July.

🔸According to the UK Foreign, Office, Miliband, who represents the country on the board of directors of the World Bank, during his brief trip to Washington is also scheduled to meet with Ajay Banga, the head of the institution.