US President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on allies, demanding countries, including the UK, send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, as Iranian strikes continued on Gulf countries.
Over the weekend, Sir Keir Starmer and Trump discussed the importance of reopening a key shipping route in the Middle East during their first conversation since the US president called for Britain to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
Starmer on Sunday did not heed calls from Trump to deploy warships; instead, Britain is currently mulling over the possibility of sending mine-hunting drones to the region amid worries of an Iranian build-up of explosives in the narrow sea passage.
The US president said Nato faces a “very bad” future should its member states fail to help, adding: “We’ll see if they help us. Because I’ve long said that we’ll be there for them, but they won’t be there for us.”
The war, which began with joint Israeli-US strikes on Iran on February 28, has spread across the Middle East. Israeli strikes have killed more than 850 people in Lebanon and displaced at least 850,000 people.
Israel has launched new attacks on Beirut and Tehran, while Dubai’s airport suspended flights after an Iranian drone hit a nearby fuel tank and sparked a fire. Iran also launched missiles towards Israel on Monday.
Some flights resume at Dubai airport
A drone‑related incident sparked a fire near Dubai International Airport on Monday, forcing a temporary suspension of flights, the city’s media office said on X. United Arab Emirates officials say Dubai International Airport has gradually resumed some flights after a drone strike.
The blaze was successfully contained and no injuries were reported, but local aviation authorities halted operations as a precaution.
Emirates was among the major airlines to confirm its flights had been grounded, telling passengers on X: “Please do not go to the airport.
“Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.”
Emirates later said it would operate on a “limited schedule” from 10am local time, but “some flights from today’s schedule have been cancelled”.
Saudi Arabia reports drone attacks
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted three drones on Monday morning over the capital Riyadh and the nation’s oil-rich western region.
The Saudi Defense Ministry says no casualties or damage were reported.
The ministry reports that more than 60 drones attacked the Gulf country within a few hours.
Brent crude trades near $105
Brent crude oil is trading near the $105 a barrel level on Monday.
A barrel of Brent, the international standard, was up 1.6% at $104.73, dipping slightly after opening above $106 per barrel. It’s up more than 40% since the war began.
Share prices in Asia were mixed and US futures advanced.
UAE intercepts more drone and missile attacks
The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry said forces were intercepting Iranian missiles and drones Monday morning.
Starmer and Trump discuss ‘importance’ of reopening Strait of Hormuz
Starmer will pledge to help households with the cost of living amid the energy price spike caused by the war in the Middle East, after he appeared to resist Donald Trump’s calls to send warships to the region.
Tehran’s stranglehold on oil tankers passing through the narrow sea passage has driven energy prices up across the world.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the pair “discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to end the disruption to global shipping, which is driving up costs worldwide”.
“The prime minister also expressed his condolences for the American service personnel who have lost their lives during the conflict,” she added.
Starmer and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also agreed on the importance of ending the blockade in a separate call on Sunday.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
