UK and France to hold summit on naval force securing Hormuz Strait
Photo: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom and France will hold a summit to discuss establishing a naval force to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Bloomberg.
Initiative's goal
The so-called Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative will be "strictly defensive in nature". UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizes that "the unconditional and immediate reopening of the Strait is a global responsibility".
At the same time, European leaders are making it clear that they do not intend to assist in the forced opening of the strait, as demanded by US President Donald Trump. The mission will begin "as soon as conditions allow".
Trump's reaction
Trump has previously mocked NATO, as well as Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron individually, for refusing to help the US confront Iran.
He called on allies to "build up some delayed courage" and "go to the strait and just take it". Instead, the Europeans prefer to wait until the US and Iran reach a long-term agreement to end the conflict that began in late February.
Timelines and doubts
Trump said Thursday that the prospects for a deal with Iran are "looking very good" and that Tehran is ready to make key concessions to extend the ceasefire.
However, some Arab and European leaders consider this assessment overly optimistic: in their view, it will take about six months to reach a peace agreement.
Commercial shipping companies have been expressing doubts for weeks that the strait can be made safe until the conflict is fully resolved.
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz has escalated after the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. During the first 24 hours, not a single vessel heading to Iran or refusing to pay Tehran for passage was able to break through the blockade.
Iran, for its part, is allowing a partial opening of the Strait from the Omani side but insists on a key condition: the conclusion of a new agreement to prevent further military escalation.
A separate issue is the mine threat. The US Navy is conducting a risky operation to detect and destroy Iranian mines.
