London - As a US-initiated conflict with Iran chokes the Strait of Hormuz, a coalition of nations is scrambling to avert a humanitarian catastrophe that will disproportionately impact the Global South. The UK's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper convened a virtual summit of over 40 countries to address the crisis, focusing on clearing mines and rescuing trapped ships. However, critics argue that the root causes of the conflict – US aggression and destabilizing foreign policy – are being ignored while the world's most vulnerable populations pay the price.

The blockade of the Strait, a crucial artery for global oil and gas supplies, threatens to exacerbate existing inequalities. The World Bank predicts that a continued closure could push nine million people worldwide into food insecurity, adding to the already unsustainable increases in oil and food prices. These price hikes will hit low-income households and developing nations hardest, deepening the divide between the wealthy and the poor.

Cooper condemned “Iranian recklessness,” but activists point out that the US’s initial military action created the conditions for the current instability. The absence of the US from the summit underscores the country’s abdication of responsibility for a crisis it largely created, leaving other nations to clean up the mess.

While the UK, France, Germany, Australia, and some Gulf nations explore solutions, the focus must shift to addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and ensuring equitable access to essential resources. The Global South, already grappling with climate change, debt burdens, and the lingering effects of colonialism, cannot afford another crisis triggered by geopolitical maneuvering.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, criticized Trump's actions, stating that he should own the consequences of the war he started. However, simply assigning blame is not enough. A just resolution requires a fundamental shift in foreign policy, prioritizing diplomacy, international cooperation, and the needs of marginalized communities.

The coalition's plan to marshal collective defensive military capabilities, including mine clearance, raises concerns about further militarization of the region and the potential for escalation. Instead, resources should be directed towards humanitarian aid, supporting local communities, and promoting sustainable development.