UK, France eye “defensive” naval mission for Hormuz

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative file photo — The French Marine Nationale air defense destroyer FS Forbin (D 620) is underway in the Red Sea, April 15, 2019. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Skyler Okerman via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS))

PARIS/LONDON  -  Britain and France will this week co-host talks aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including discussions on what President Emmanuel Macron described as a possible strictly defensive naval mission.

The talks are intended to bring together Britain, France and other countries willing to join a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait.

"This strictly defensive mission, which will be separate from the warring parties, is intended to be deployed as soon as the situation allows," Macron said in a post on X.

Tensions in the Gulf have intensified after the United States said it would begin a blockade nL6N40V09S of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, while Iran has effectively shut the Strait, a route that carries about a fifth of the world's oil consumption.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz was deeply damaging global shipping and was adding to cost‑of‑living pressures.

"This week the UK and France will co-host a summit to advance work on a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends," Starmer posted on X.

Britain has previously convened representatives of more than 40 countries nL1N40L0A8 that share the aim of restoring freedom of navigation. The United States was not involved in those talks.

 (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon in Paris and Sam Tabahriti in London; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta // REUTERS)