France And UK Rally 40 Nations To Plan Hormuz Shipping Mission Once West Asia Conflic
France And UK Rally 40 Nations To Plan Hormuz Shipping Mission Once West Asia Conflict Ends
M.U.H
17/04/202612
France and Britain are hosting a meeting of roughly 40 countries on Friday (17 April) to signal that key US allies are prepared to help restore free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz once the ongoing conflict allows it.
Iran has effectively shut the strait to non-Iranian vessels since US-Israeli airstrikes began on 28 February.
Washington followed up on Monday with a blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. US President Donald Trump has urged other nations to help enforce it and criticised NATO allies for staying on the sidelines.
However, Britain, France and others have drawn a clear line. They say joining the blockade would amount to entering the war, but have expressed willingness to help keep the strait open after a lasting ceasefire or the end of hostilities.
The meeting, which does not include the US or Iran for now, will focus on reaffirming support for freedom of navigation through the strait, which normally handles about a fifth of global oil and LNG shipments.
It will also take up the safety of over 20,000 stranded seafarers and trapped commercial vessels, and outline preparations for a strictly defensive multinational naval mission to be deployed when conditions permit.
