France and Britain will co-host a video conference on Friday with countries willing to contribute to a “purely defensive mission” aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, the French presidency has said.
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will jointly lead the meeting, which is expected to focus on restoring freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway “when security conditions allow,” according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.
A spokesperson for the British Prime Minister’s Office said the summit would advance efforts toward a coordinated, independent multinational plan to protect international shipping once hostilities in the region subside.
The proposed initiative follows weeks of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor, after US-Israeli strikes on Iran escalated tensions in late February and triggered a wider regional conflict.
Shipping through the strait reportedly slowed significantly during the crisis, affecting global oil and gas movement through one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
Although Iran and the United States recently agreed to a temporary ceasefire, talks aimed at sustaining peace reportedly collapsed over the weekend.
In response to the renewed tensions, US President Donald Trump ordered naval operations described as a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz beginning Monday, further heightening concerns over global energy security.
Diplomatic efforts are now shifting toward a multinational maritime arrangement intended to stabilise the corridor and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels once conditions improve.
