UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Friday that over a dozen countries are prepared to contribute resources to a defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement followed a meeting in Paris attended by France, the UK, and representatives from 49 other nations, where discussions centered on the potential for a multinational defense initiative to protect maritime traffic in the region, contingent on favorable conditions.
Starmer stated, “We will continue this work at a military planning conference in London next week, where we will announce further details regarding the mission’s composition, and more than a dozen countries have already offered to provide resources.” He made these remarks alongside leaders from France, Germany, and Italy.
In related developments, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that, under the terms of a ceasefire in Lebanon, all commercial vessels would be permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire period.
In response, US President Donald Trump asserted that the blockade of Iranian ports would remain fully enforced until the terms of the US-Iran agreement are completely fulfilled.
Following these statements, Prime Minister Starmer reiterated that France and the UK would initiate a strictly defensive military operation to ensure the protection of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as conditions permit.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed that her country would provide naval units for the defensive mission, with Germany also indicating its participation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans for a multinational mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with contributions from over a dozen countries. Discussions among key European leaders have outlined intentions for a defensive operation aimed at ensuring safe maritime navigation in the region.