The UK and France will lead a multinational mission to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once fighting in the region ends, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
❗️UK and France ANNOUNCE INDEPENDENT MISSION to protect freedom of navigation through The Strait of Hormuz ‘Strictly peaceful and defensive mission to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance’ pic.twitter.com/hfZFGT9iNk
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Speaking after a meeting of 51 countries on Friday, Starmer said the operation would be “strictly peaceful and defensive” and aimed at reassuring commercial shipping and supporting mine clearance. He added that dozens of countries have already offered to contribute assets.
French President Emmanuel Macron, standing alongside Starmer, described the closure of the strait as having “very severe consequences” for the global economy and said recent developments were encouraging, though caution was still needed.
The announcement comes after Iran stated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain “completely open” to commercial vessels until the current two-week ceasefire with the US expires mid-next week. However, US President Donald Trump has said the American naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force.
Trump earlier criticised NATO, claiming the alliance offered help but he told them to “stay away” unless they wanted to load up on oil. He has repeatedly accused NATO of being “useless when needed.”
Starmer has consistently maintained that the UK would not be “dragged” into the conflict and would not support the US blockade.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany stands ready to contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation and suggested it would be “desirable” for the US to be involved.
More details of the multinational mission are expected to be announced next week following a military planning conference in London.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint, normally carrying about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. Its effective closure by Iran since late February has driven up energy prices worldwide.
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