France and UK to Host Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will jointly preside over a high-level conference in Paris this Friday. The meeting aims to bring together nations not involved in the conflict, willing to participate in a mission to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once security conditions permit.

Other nations will join the discussions via videoconference, as confirmed by Macron’s office. The proposal centers on establishing a “purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” according to a statement from his office.

France and Britain have been coordinating in recent weeks to organize an operation focused on escorting oil tankers and container ships through the vital waterway, ensuring their safe passage amid ongoing tensions.

A spokesperson from the British prime minister’s office stated that “the summit will advance work towards a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping once the conflict ends.”

Prime Minister Starmer also highlighted Britain’s diplomatic efforts during remarks on Monday, saying that the UK had convened more than 40 nations to address navigation security in the region.

Macron, speaking earlier in March, reaffirmed France’s commitment to preparing a “defensive” mission alongside its allies to reopen the strategic waterway. He, however, ruled out plans to escort vessels while bombings persist in the region.

“Several dozen countries have already taken part in preparatory work led in particular by the chiefs of staff to define the framework for such a mission,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said during an interview with Radio France Internationale. Barrot emphasized the importance of “coordinating with the coastal states” to ensure the mission’s success.

The need for heightened security in the Strait of Hormuz comes as US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February triggered a regional war that brought oil and gas traffic through the crucial maritime corridor to a near halt. The disruption has posed significant challenges for global energy markets dependent on shipments transiting through the strait.

Efforts to de-escalate tensions appear to have faltered after Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week cessation of hostilities last week. Ceasefire negotiations held in Pakistan over the weekend ended in failure, further complicating diplomatic efforts in the region.

In response to the situation, US President Donald Trump on Monday instructed the US Navy to implement a blockade of Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz, a move that underscores the growing complexity of the crisis.