The United Kingdom has confirmed that it will not take part in President Donald Trump’s newly announced naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, directly contradicting Trump’s assertion that Britain was among the nations assisting the operation. A UK government spokesperson told CBS News that London would instead work urgently with France and other partners to build a broad coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation, emphasizing that the strait must not be subject to any form of tolling.Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with the Sultan of Oman on Sunday and urged both Washington and Tehran to find a way forward after the 21‑hour talks in Islamabad ended without agreement. Downing Street said the two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining the existing ceasefire and ensuring that all parties avoid any further escalation that could destabilize the region.While the Royal Navy is preparing to deploy the support vessel RFA Lyme Bay equipped with autonomous underwater mine‑hunting drones to clear Iranian sea mines from the strait, officials stressed that this mine‑clearing mission is distinct from any blockade effort. Defence Secretary John Healey approved the deployment in late March, and Britain has pursued a multilateral approach, having convened more than 40 countries at a summit earlier this month to press Iran on reopening the waterway.Trump’s blockade announcement has cast doubt over the fragile two‑week ceasefire agreed just five days ago, with the president warning that the US military would “finish up the little that is left of Iran.” The UK’s refusal to join the blockade underscores its preference for diplomatic and cooperative measures over unilateral military action in the Gulf.