Can the UK-led coalition of 40 countries reopen the Strait of Hormuz?

As Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, Britain is hosting virtual talks with about 40 countries to discuss strategies to reopen the waterway, Al Jazeera writes.

The US did not take part in these talks, after Trump said this week that it was not its responsibility to reopen the strait. He told European countries to “go get your own oil“.

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” the US president stated.

Countries participating in the negotiations include France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz to shipping since the United States and Israel launched the war on Iran with strikes on Tehran on Feb. 28.

Its blockade has sent global oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel – a jump of roughly 40 percent from before the war.