Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gulf Conflict

Tuesday 21 April 2026 · 10 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister met with over a dozen Foreign Ministers and hosted a 50-country summit addressing the Gulf conflict.
  • UK Government raised humanitarian concerns and called for Lebanese people to return to their homes in international forums.
  • Minister discussed the need for a ceasefire and the reopening of the Hormuz strait to address rising fuel and food costs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Dillon Lib Dem Newbury
Foreign Affairs

Question

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the situation in the strait of Hormuz.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I returned overnight from a series of meetings across five countries in Europe, the middle east and Asia, and I spoke directly with more than a dozen of my Foreign Minister counterparts, as well as joining the 50-country summit hosted by the Prime Minister and President Macron. This is a critical diplomatic moment. The agreed two-week ceasefire runs until Thursday, and we need it to be extended. We need the negotiations to reach a comprehensive conclusion to this conflict, and we need the reopening of the strait with no conditions and no tolls. Our work is to maintain and build the biggest possible consensus around the rapid opening of the strait.

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Q2 Naseem Shah Lab Bradford West
Foreign Affairs
Context

Reports indicate that the Israeli military has published a map designating south Lebanese territory as a buffer zone, raising concerns about displaced families and potential annexation.

Question

Following reports of the Israeli military's map designating south Lebanese territory as a buffer zone, with Israel refusing to confirm whether displaced Lebanese families can return, what specific representations have been made by the UK Government to ensure this does not lead to de facto annexation? Does the Foreign Secretary agree that such occupation violates international law and undermines US-Iran talks?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

Lebanese people need to be able to return to their homes; this is a humanitarian disaster. The issue has been raised directly with the Israeli Government in international forums, and it is crucial that ceasefire talks progress and Lebanese people can return home.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific representations made by UK government to Israel on buffer zone designation were not detailed

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Q3 Sarah Edwards Lab Tamworth
Foreign Affairs Energy
Context

Fuel costs have risen due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, affecting constituents in Tamworth, especially the logistics sector.

Question

With rising fuel costs caused by the Hormuz strait blockade, what steps is the Minister taking to secure its reopening and reduce costs for Tamworth residents and the UK?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

No involvement in conflict initiation, working towards closure and strait reopening; holding summits for no tolls; arguing against hijacking shipping lanes and hostage-taking by any country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps taken specifically to secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz were not detailed

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Q4 Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Economy Taxation Energy
Context

In the first month of the US-led war with Iran, major oil and gas companies made over $30 million per hour in unearned profits. This has affected ordinary people's ability to afford basic necessities.

Question

While energy giants and Wall Street banks cash in on the war, ordinary people pay the price. What discussions has the Minister had with the Chancellor on the merits of introducing windfall taxes to directly fund a cost of living support package?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The Chancellor will be making a statement later this afternoon, focusing on the cost of living crisis and supporting people and businesses. Another concern is Russia's benefit from the conflict, which underscores the need to open the strait as quickly as possible.

Not addressed: Discussions about windfall taxes and introducing them to fund a cost of living support package

How: Changed Subject

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Q5 Lee Dillon Lib Dem Newbury
Foreign Affairs

Question

Given President Trump’s latest threats to destroy bridges and power plants—attacks that would be against international law—has the Foreign Secretary made representations to her US counterpart that threatening war crimes is not the way to achieve peace or to open the strait? More importantly, if Trump does start to attack civilian infrastructure, will she withdraw US access to British bases?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

We have been clear from the start that UK bases could be used only for defensive operations, not offensive operations. There is currently a ceasefire in place, although it runs only until Thursday and we badly need it to be extended. As part of the G7 discussions, which included the US, we raised the importance of not attacking any civilian infrastructure. That was included in the G7’s agreed communiqué and reflects the importance that we attach to those issues.

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Q6 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Foreign Affairs

Question

Has the Foreign Secretary made any assessment of what impact the conflict is having on the horrendous humanitarian situation in Yemen? Given Iran’s continued support for the Houthis, does she believe that in discussions to end the conflict there will be some opportunity to make a positive impact on that conflict?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that the Minister for the middle east, my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr Falconer), has met the Yemeni Prime Minister in recent days, to engage with the Yemenis, to express our support and to ensure that they can address humanitarian issues. There is obviously a particular issue with Yemen, where Iranian proxies have been mobilised in the past, and it is important that does not happen now. It is another example of how vulnerable, low-income and conflict-affected countries are the most heavily affected by the restrictions on the Gulf and the strait of Hormuz.

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Q7 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, specifically concerning the Strait of Hormuz which is vital for international oil trade. The questioner references the need for regional peace and Israel's security.

Question

The Foreign Secretary's push for consensus is to be welcomed. Hopefully, the strait of Hormuz will be open shortly, which will lead to short and medium-term progress. In the longer term, does the Foreign Secretary agree that a lasting peace in the middle east will be more easily secured if we can take action against neighbouring states and elements within those states that threaten the absolute annihilation of the state of Israel?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

Israel's security needs to be protected, and so does the security of Gulf countries that have been attacked as part of this conflict. We need security right across the region. The hon. Gentleman says that we hope the strait will soon be open. We have proposed that, as an immediate confidence-building measure, the Iranians should agree to the International Maritime Organisation's proposal to start moving the stranded ships and the stranded seafarers. It could get on with that right now, even while negotiations are continuing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about taking action against states threatening Israel was not directly addressed.

How: Changing Subject To Immediate Measures For Securing The Strait Of Hormuz

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Q8 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Foreign Affairs
Context

Increasing tensions and social media posts by President Trump are causing concerns about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts. There is a risk to food prices due to shipping difficulties in the strait.

Question

The difficulty of ships passing through the strait is leading to fears across all sectors, including food production, so the price of food is at risk as well as the price of oil. Increasingly offensive and bizarre social media posts by President Trump are making diplomatic efforts more difficult. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to ensure that all parties are coming to the table in good faith?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I met Pakistan's Foreign Minister recently as part of this effort. I have spoken frequently to the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and we have been engaging with a whole series of countries. Over the last few days, I have met more than a dozen Foreign Ministers and counterparts to ensure that everyone is pressing the same messages for a ceasefire extension, strait opening without tolls, and swift resolution.

Answered
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Q9 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Foreign Affairs
Context

Lebanon's humanitarian flash fund secured less than a third of required funding, with 20% of the population displaced and 40,000 housing units destroyed. Social tensions are rising amid economic collapse.

Question

I thank the Foreign Secretary for the humanitarian support sent to date, including cash transfers, but I ask her to do more. We need to press for a real ceasefire, provide practical support to Lebanon's armed forces, help the state to tackle negative influences that are trying to undermine its sovereignty and, finally, vigorously oppose the illegal expansion of Israel's buffer zone in south Lebanon.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I can tell my hon. Friend that the Minister for the middle east, my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr Falconer), was in Beirut at the end of last week, where he pressed those exact points and engaged with the Lebanese Prime Minister. We need an urgent ceasefire, and we need to support the work of the Lebanese armed forces and the Lebanese Government. That is why we have directly provided £30 million of humanitarian support for Lebanon since the beginning of this crisis. I believe that makes us one of the biggest donors to Lebanon, but we must continue to provide support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about opposing Israel's buffer zone expansion was not addressed.

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Q10 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Economy Foreign Affairs Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Research shows that 762,000 people have died as a direct result of US aid cuts since January last year. The reduction in international aid is affecting food prices and could cause devastating famines in many countries.

Question

Is this the moment to do the right thing by increasing our spending on international aid and protecting people from the calamity of famine?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The hon. Member will know from our statement that we have focused our support on fragile and conflict-affected states. We are also working, including with the World Bank, to monitor the states most heavily affected by shortages of fertiliser, food, and oil supplies, which are having a huge impact.

Not addressed: The specific ask about increasing aid spending was not addressed.

How: Focusing On Current Efforts, Mentioning Monitoring

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