UK convenes 40 countries to demand 'immediate and unconditional reopening' of Hormuz

As the US-Iran war with Iran continues to disrupt global shipping, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has convened around 40 countries to demand the "immediate and unconditional reopening" of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards effectively shut the key waterway and oil conduit when the United States and Israel launched the war, and Trump has made its reopening a condition for a ceasefire.

"Now that we are facing these reckless Iranian attacks on international shipping, affecting countries from across the globe who played no part in this conflict, and more than 40 countries coming together for these discussions today, we're clear we need the diplomatic pressure, the economic pressure and also the work being done by military planners on how to keep shipping safe for the long term," she said in comments posted by ITV Politics.

'Humanitarian corridor'

Italy has called for a "humanitarian corridor" to allow fertiliser and other essentials through the strait to avert a food crisis in Africa.

Tehran said it was drafting a post-war protocol with Oman to oversee shipping, but talks had not yet begun.

Trump said talks could be possible with Iran's new leadership, which he described as "less radical and much more reasonable".

Tehran has dismissed US overtures as "maximalist and irrational", saying messages had been relayed through intermediaries including Pakistan -- but no direct talks were underway.

Key targets

Trump warned that without a deal, Washington had "our eyes on key targets", including power plants.

Iran's health ministry said the Pasteur Institute in Tehran had been heavily damaged in a strike.

In Lebanon, Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said it launched drones and rockets at northern Israel, a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed a senior commander, according to two sources. Lebanese authorities said seven people died in the strike.

Eighteen European countries have urged Israel and Hezbollah to halt fighting amid fears Israel could seize territory in southern Lebanon.

Amy Pope, head of the International Organisation for Migration, warned of "very alarming" risks of prolonged displacement.