UK and France Plan Naval Mission to Protect Strait of Hormuz After Conflict Ends

Britain and France are leading efforts to plan a defensive naval mission that would protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict ends. Prime Minister Starmer announced the talks on social media, saying the countries will work on "a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping."

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula where about one-fifth of the world's oil travels by ship. Iran has threatened to block this route during recent tensions.

Several countries have said they won't join any current blockade because that would mean entering the war. But they're willing to help keep the strait open once there's a lasting ceasefire. The talks focus on bringing in allies who aren't involved in the fighting to handle shipping traffic when the conflict ends.

The initiative doesn't currently include the United States or Iran. Countries involved describe it as "strictly defensive" and only for "when security conditions permit." Officials say freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is an immediate priority for global trade.