Countries to discuss Strait of Hormuz mission for when conflict ends

InternationalMust ReadCountries to discuss Strait of Hormuz mission for when conflict endsBy Reuters -Apr 17, 2026PARIS: France and Britain will ​chair a meeting on Friday of around 40 countries aimed at signalling to the United States that ‌some of its closest allies are ready to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow. Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz to ships other than its own since the start of U.S.-Israeli air strikes on February 28. On ​Monday, Washington imposed a blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. U.S. President Donald Trump has called on ​other countries to help enforce the blockade and has criticised NATO allies for not doing so. Britain, ⁠France and others say joining the blockade would amount to entering the war, but they have said they would ​be willing to help keep the strait open once there is a lasting ceasefire or the conflict ends. The initiative being discussed ​does not for now include the United States or Iran, though European diplomats said any realistic mission would ultimately need to be coordinated with both. Washington will be briefed on the outcome of the talks. SAFETY OF STRANDED SEAFARERS According to a note sent to invited nations, the ​aim of the meeting is to reaffirm full diplomatic support for unfettered freedom of navigation through the Strait of ​Hormuz and the need to respect international law. The meeting will also address economic challenges facing the shipping industry and the safety of more ‌than ⁠20,000 stranded seafarers and trapped commercial vessels. It will also outline preparations for the deployment – when conditions are met – of a strictly defensive multinational military mission to ensure freedom of navigation. A chair’s statement is expected at the end of the meeting to give a more tangible sense of what such a mission could entail, although it is not expected to spell out ​what specific countries might contribute. RESOURCES ​WILL DE...