Britain will host a virtual meeting on Thursday to spearhead efforts to form a coalition aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane that has been effectively closed amid regional tensions. The session, to be chaired by British foreign minister Yvette Cooper around midday London time, will involve about 35 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. The United States is not expected to take part.
The talks come after US President Donald Trump said the task of securing the waterway should be taken on by the countries that rely on it, suggesting they ought to take direct action to ensure access. Iran has largely blocked passage through the strait in response to US-Israeli strikes that began in late February, disrupting a channel that handles roughly one fifth of global oil consumption and contributing to a sharp rise in energy prices.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the meeting will examine “all viable diplomatic and political measures” to restore freedom of navigation once a ceasefire is in place. European governments, which initially rejected US requests to deploy their navies over fears of being pulled into the conflict, have grown more active in seeking a collective approach as the economic fallout from rising energy costs intensifies.
Officials said Thursday’s session will serve as the coalition’s first formal gathering, preceding more detailed consultations with military planners scheduled in the coming weeks. European sources indicated the operation would likely proceed in phases: an initial focus on clearing mines and other hazards from the waterway, followed by measures to provide protection for tankers transiting the area.
Starmer warned that reopening the strait will be difficult, requiring a combination of military strength, diplomatic engagement and close cooperation with the shipping industry. European officials added that the aim is to develop coordinated options that can be implemented once hostilities pause, rather than immediate unilateral action.
As international concern grows over the broader economic and security implications of the closure, participating states will seek to balance the risks of military involvement with the urgent need to restore maritime traffic through one of the world’s most important oil routes.
