UK Prime Minister Declines to Commit to Trump’s 'Security Bill', Says "Not a NATO Mission"

"We Will Not Be Drawn Into a Wider War"

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, who received a "security bill" request from U.S. President Donald Trump, did not give a definitive answer on March 16 (local time).

In a speech at the Prime Minister's Office on Downing Street in London that day, Prime Minister Starmer said that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened to ensure oil market stability, but emphasized that this is not a simple matter. He stated, "We are working together with all our allies, including European partners, to restore freedom of navigation in the region as soon as possible and to establish a viable collective plan to mitigate the economic shock."

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Starmer also made it clear, "Let me be clear. This will not become a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission, nor has it ever been perceived as such."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Previously, President Trump had requested major countries to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz and, on March 15, warned that "if there is no response or if the response is negative, it will have a very bad impact on NATO's future," directly mentioning NATO.

Prime Minister Starmer revealed that he discussed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz with President Trump in a phone call on the night of March 15. He noted that, as Prime Minister, making a decision about sending troops is one of the most difficult matters, and stressed, "No matter what kind of pressure I may face, it is important to stand firm for the interests of the United Kingdom."

In his speech that day, Prime Minister Starmer further stated, "First, we will protect our citizens in the region. Second, while taking the necessary measures to protect ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into a wider war. Third, we will continue to work toward a swift resolution to restore regional security and stability and to block Iran's threats against neighboring countries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.