NORTH SEA — The British government on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to net-zero emissions targets and maintained its ban on new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea. The decision came as energy markets experienced volatility linked to the U.S.-Iran war and despite calls from former U.S. President Donald Trump for Britain to expand North Sea extraction.

"As we face the second fossil fuel shock in less than 5 years, the lesson for our country is clear," U.K. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said. "The era of fossil fuel security is over, and the era of clean energy security must come of age."

The government also introduced a set of new policies intended to break the link between volatile global gas prices and the price of electricity for U.K. consumers. U.K. energy prices have increased since the war on Iran began. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "We need to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster."

Opposition parties on the right have called to reverse the ban, scheduled for 2025, on drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea. According to the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, the North Sea is a mature basin, meaning around 90% of its natural resources have already been extracted.

Trump pressed the British government to reverse course in a series of posts on Truth Social. "Europe is desperate for Energy, and yet the United Kingdom refuses to open North Sea Oil, one of the greatest fields in the World. Tragic!!" he wrote. In a separate post, he added, "DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! It is absolutely crazy that they don't."

Oil prices dropped on Friday following reports that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, but the strait did not reopen over the weekend. The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is due to expire soon.