Britain to host 35 countries for strait of Hormuz talks, says Starmer

US understood not to be invited directly to talks that will explore ways of reopening critical waterway

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The UK will convene 35 countries – excluding the US – to explore ways to reopen the strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping route for oil and gas that has been blocked by Iran.

Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said the next phase of discussions in the joint British and French efforts to secure the waterway would be held on Thursday, with Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, alongside international leaders.