British Prime Minister Keir Starmer left no room for doubt this Monday on BBC Radio: “We’re not supporting the blockade. My decision has been very clear: whatever the pressure, and there’s been some considerable pressure, we’re not getting dragged into the war.”

Starmer went further: he said he won’t commit British vessels to a blockade that lacks a “clear lawful basis” or a “clear thought-through plan.” The UK’s priority, he said, is reopening the strait through diplomacy, not escalating it further with military action.

And he’s not alone. Spain called the blockade something that “makes no sense.” Turkey said negotiations and “persuasion methods” should be used. France agreed with Starmer to form an international coalition for a diplomatic solution. Australia confirmed it received no request from Washington and won’t participate.