UK and France Host Multinational Meeting on Strait of Hormuz Security

The UK and France will on Tuesday host a virtual meeting of defence ministers from more than 40 nations to discuss military plans aimed at restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the British government said. The announcement came hours after Iranian officials warned London and Paris against sending warships to the area.

A British defence ministry statement issued Sunday said the Defence Secretary will co-chair the session alongside his French counterpart for the multinational mission's first Defence Minister's meeting. The virtual meeting builds on a two-day gathering of military planners held in London in April.

Those discussions focused on the practical details of a UK- and France-led effort to protect navigation in the strategic waterway after a sustainable ceasefire took hold. "We are turning diplomatic agreement into practical military plans to restore confidence for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz," the British defence secretary said.

Both countries have already despatched warships to the Middle East. France has sent its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the region, while the UK on Saturday announced it was deploying a destroyer as part of prudent planning to be ready when conditions allow.

Officials from both nations described the deployments as pre-positioning ahead of any formal international mission. The British side added that the destroyer would help strengthen commercial shipping confidence and support future mine clearance efforts once hostilities fully end.

Iranian officials responded sharply to the moves. The country's deputy foreign minister warned that British and French warships, or those of any other country, would face a decisive and immediate response if sent to the strait. The official added that only Iran can establish security in the waterway.

French officials stated later Sunday that the country had never envisaged a naval deployment inside the Strait of Hormuz itself. Instead, they described the planned effort as a security mission that would be coordinated with Iran. The officials reiterated opposition to any blockade by either side and rejection of any toll on vessels passing through the waterway.

Before the conflict began on February 28, roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passed through the strait.

Background to the Mission The multinational initiative emerged from last month's diplomatic agreements between Britain, France and other partners. Planners have focused on measures to reopen safe passage for commercial vessels while avoiding direct confrontation.

The April planning sessions in London produced outlines for coordinated naval protection, mine countermeasures and confidence-building measures for shipping companies. Tuesday's ministerial meeting is intended to translate those technical plans into political commitments from participating nations.

Iranian officials have consistently maintained that security in the strait is their sole responsibility. The latest warnings follow months of heightened tensions during which Tehran restricted passage in response to military actions in the region. The deputy foreign minister's statement on Sunday underscored that any foreign warship entering the area without coordination would trigger an immediate reaction.

This stance directly contrasts with the UK and French description of their deployments as preparatory steps for an internationally backed mission. Disruptions since late February have already affected energy prices and supply chains, with ripple effects felt in markets worldwide.

Successful implementation of the multinational plans could help restore stability to shipping routes. However, any escalation between Iran and the European naval presence would risk further volatility in oil markets already strained by the preceding conflict.