The United Kingdom and France will host a summit in Paris this Friday to discuss the establishment of an international peace mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Downing Street sources told Sky News that the meeting aims to facilitate the reopening of the vital maritime corridor. The initiative follows a recent blockade of the waterway ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump following failed negotiations with Iran in Pakistan.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who will co-lead the summit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, called for rapid diplomatic efforts to reach a lasting agreement in the Middle East. He stated that such a deal must provide a solid framework for regional peace and security.
A defensive mandate
Macron clarified that any potential mission would be strictly defensive and separate from the active combatants in the region. He added that the mission would be deployed as soon as circumstances allow, though he provided no specific timeline or list of participating nations.
Prime Minister Starmer distanced the UK from the blockade implemented by the Trump administration. He emphasized that the primary objective is to assemble a coalition of more than 40 nations to address the crisis.
Both leaders are seeking to use collective mobilization to restore free passage through the Strait. The waterway has become a central flashpoint for military clashes within the broader context of the conflict involving Iran.
