UK supporting Saudi Arabia could help keep fuel prices down, minister claims
Por Christopher McKeon and David Hughes — – World RSS Feed
UK supporting Saudi Arabia could help keep fuel prices down, minister claims
Energy prices have already shot up following conflict involving Iran and the shutting down of the Strait of Hormuz
Christopher McKeon & David Hughes Tuesday 22 September 2026 10:44 BST
- Bookmark
- Comments Go to comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks
Close popover
Your support helps us to tell the story
Read more Support Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference. Read more
Providing British military support to Saudi Arabia should help contain additional surges in fuel costs, according to a defence minister.
Luke Pollard explained that sending an RAF refuelling plane to the region was intended to stop “further escalation” within the Red Sea, a crucial corridor for oil shipments currently targeted by Yemeni Houthis backed by Iran.
Energy prices have already shot up following conflict involving Iran and the shutting down of the Strait of Hormuz.
Should the Bab al-Mandab strait—the sole southern passage to the Suez Canal—also close, international crude supplies would face even greater strain.
In remarks to the BBC, Mr Pollard stated that while the government has moved to reduce living costs, “ultimately” only stability across Ukraine and the Middle East will lower fuel prices.
open image in galleryHe said: “We’re working with our friends to try and deliver that de-escalation, and part of the reason why we deployed the RAF Voyager to Saudi Arabia, for instance, is to ensure there’s not further escalation in the Red Sea, which could further risk our fuel prices.”
The deployment, announced by prime minister Andy Burnham on his way to the UN General Assembly in New York, will see the Voyager aircraft provide air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets.
The government has insisted the UK mission will be used only to assist jets defending Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks, and not those carrying out strikes in Yemen.
Mr Pollard said the UK action would also comply with international law, and told Sky News it was the morally right thing to do.
open image in galleryHe said: “In dangerous times, good friends stand together, and there’s a morality of being true to our allies.”
The use of the Voyager tanker is expected to start within days and the mission will be time-limited, with officials indicating it could last for “weeks”.
The refuelling mission is in addition to the UK Sky Sabre air defence system already deployed in Saudi Arabia.
Mr Burnham said he was “acting to secure the interests of Britain and the wider region because, of course, Saudi Arabia has been experiencing attacks, is looking at potential further disruption, and we need to keep those pathways open, and hence our agreement to the request”.
More about
Luke PollardSaudi ArabiaRed SeaStrait of Hormuz
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Most popular
Popular videos
Bulletin
Read next
Fonte: – World RSS Feed
