London – Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has voiced strong opposition to any potential move by Iran to impose tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, framing the issue within the context of international law and the broader struggle for economic justice in global trade. As Labour Leader Keir Starmer engages in discussions in the Gulf, Cooper’s stance underscores the UK’s commitment to ensuring fair access to vital trade routes for all nations.

Cooper’s argument, delivered during a series of interviews ahead of a foreign policy address, centered on the principle of freedom of navigation within international waters. She emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz, as a crucial international transit route, falls under the purview of international maritime law, which prohibits unilateral imposition of tolls.

"The starting point here is this is an international transit route. It’s international shipping that uses this. This is part of the international law of the sea. This is a a route between the high seas; it is a trading route," Cooper stated, reinforcing the legal foundation for her position.

Drawing parallels to other strategically significant straits like Dover and Gibraltar, Cooper acknowledged the existence of territorial waters while asserting the primacy of international shipping lanes. This framework highlights the shared responsibility of nations to facilitate trade while respecting sovereign rights.

"And whether you talk about Dover or Gibraltar or other straits around the world, there may be territorial waters there, but there’s also an international shipping route and an international transit route, which means that freedom of navigation principles apply and that countries cannot simply hijack those kinds of international transit routes and unilaterally apply tolls. They cannot do that as part of the laws of the sea and the United Nations conventions."

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial artery for global trade, particularly in the energy sector, connecting the Persian Gulf to the wider world. Any disruption or obstruction to its use would disproportionately impact developing nations reliant on affordable access to these resources.

Cooper's forceful stance against potential tolls can be seen as a defense of equitable trade practices and a rejection of economic exploitation. While acknowledging the complexities of international relations, her remarks underscore the importance of upholding a fair and just global economic order.