UK and France Host Conference on Reopening Strait of Hormuz

The UK is hosting a two-day multinational conference that began yesterday, involving military planners from more than 30 countries. Britain and France are leading renewed efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The conference follows U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement late Tuesday to extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire until negotiations with Iran conclude.

President Trump also ordered that the U.S. blockade at the Strait of Hormuz remain in place. Hopes for U.S.-Iran negotiations to resume as early as Wednesday were set back after reports that U.S. Vice President JD Vance's trip to Pakistan has been put on hold.

Pakistan hosted the previous round of talks, which failed.

of early Wednesday, there were no signs that talks could resume soon. The U.S. is maintaining the naval blockade outside the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has described as a siege and a violation of the ceasefire. The UK hosted the first such meeting early this month.

The UK government stated that the sessions will advance military plans to reopen the Strait as soon as conditions permit, following a sustainable ceasefire agreement. The conference aims to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire.

“The task, today and tomorrow, is to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire." — UK Defence Secretary John Healey UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated ahead of the conference that international trade, energy security, and the stability of the global economy depend on freedom of navigation. He added that by building on common purpose, strengthening multinational coordination, and planning for effective collective action, the group can help reopen the Strait, stabilize the global economy, and protect people. The conference is part of the UK and French leadership of a multinational coalition for this purpose.”