United Kingdom will host military planners from more than 30 countries for two days of talks starting Wednesday on a proposed multinational mission—led by the UK and France—to safeguard navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the defence ministry said.
The ministry noted the meeting would “advance detailed planning” for reopening the strait when conditions permit, following what it described as progress at recent discussions in Paris.
“The task today and tomorrow is to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire,” Defence Secretary John Healey said, adding he was confident “real progress can be made.”
The conference follows international talks co-chaired last week by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, which brought together over 40 countries to discuss the strategically vital route. Both nations stressed that any force would be strictly defensive and deployed only after a lasting peace agreement in the region.
Neither the United States nor Iran—the main parties to the conflict—took part in those talks. A two-week ceasefire between them was set to expire late Tuesday, but US President Donald Trump said it would be extended to allow further negotiations. Both sides have accused each other of violations, and Trump indicated that a US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.
The planning summit, previously signalled by Downing Street, is being held at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in northwest London, the UK’s hub for coordinating joint military operations.
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