UK and France back efforts to secure Strait of Hormuz British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have stressed the importance of restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the waterway as “a vital artery for the global economy”. In a joint statement, the two leaders said that “restoring safe transit for ships of all nations through the Strait is a matter of global concern”. They added that Oman had agreed to work with the United Kingdom and France to help ensure its territorial waters remain safe for navigation.