Starmer Says UK Taking ‘All Necessary Measures’ To Avoid Fuel Rationing Amid Iran Crisis

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 21:35 IST

UK PM Keir Starmer said Britain is taking "all necessary measures" to avoid fuel rationing amid the Iran crisis, emphasizing reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain is taking “all necessary measures" to avoid fuel rationing as the ongoing crisis involving Iran threatens global energy supplies.

Speaking amid concerns over potential disruptions to oil shipments, Starmer said the UK government was closely monitoring the situation and ensuring adequate energy supplies for the country.

“We are taking all necessary measures to make sure there is the right supply of energy," the prime minister said, adding that plans to maintain energy security would remain under constant review.

The comments come as analysts warn that the conflict could trigger supply shortages if disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Starmer stressed that reopening the strait for tanker traffic was critical for stabilising global energy prices and protecting consumers from rising costs.

“Getting tanker traffic through the waterway along the Iranian coast is vital in relation to the price of energy," he said, adding that the government’s efforts to shield households from rising living costs were closely linked to restoring shipping through the strait.

The British prime minister said he had been discussing plans with international partners, including European countries, Gulf states and the United States, to ensure safe passage for energy shipments.

“We are working with others to come up with a credible plan for the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that we can reopen shipping and passage through the strait," Starmer said.

As part of those efforts, he noted that autonomous mine-hunting systems were already being deployed in the area to counter potential threats to commercial shipping.

The warning comes as former energy adviser Nick Butler said Britain could face “a form of rationing" if the conflict continues to disrupt oil flows, urging the government to prepare for a possible supply shortfall in the coming months. Butler said critical sectors such as health services, food supply chains and other essential services would need to be prioritised if shortages emerge.

Officials say the government is continuing to monitor developments closely as tensions in the Gulf threaten to disrupt one of the world’s most critical energy supply routes.

News world Starmer Says UK Taking ‘All Necessary Measures’ To Avoid Fuel Rationing Amid Iran Crisis

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