French and British leaders were on Friday chairing a meeting in Paris of around 40 countries aimed at signalling to the United States that some of its closest allies are ready to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the strait is now “fully open” to commercial shipping – a move welcomed by President Donald Trump, although Washington continues to maintain its own blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz – through which some 20 percent of the world's oil passes – since United States-Israeli air strikes began on 28 February, leading to a surge in global energy prices.
Even with a shaky ceasefire in place, the US is now imposing its own blockade on Iranian ports.
European leaders are concerned that if the blockade continues, consumers will feel the effects through higher inflation, food shortages and flight cancellations, as jet fuel runs short.
The meeting is set to gather some 30 leaders of European countries as well as Asian and Middle Eastern nations, mainly by video conference.
Key European Union players German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will be attending in person, their offices confirmed.
China has been invited, although it was not clear whether it will take part.
The talks, according to the Elysée, will involve "non-belligerent countries" – meaning neither Iran, Israel nor the US will be involved.
"The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has major consequences for the global economy, and therefore for the daily lives of French citizens and French businesses," France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Thursday.
The maritime passages with a chokehold on the global economy
Freedom of navigation
According to a note sent to invited nations, the aim of the meeting is to reaffirm full diplomatic support for unfettered freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and the need to respect international law.
The meeting will also address economic challenges facing the shipping industry and concerns over the more than 20,000 seafarers aboard the hundreds of ships which have been trapped by the blockade.
'We were attacked': Hormuz sailors in perilous waters
It will also outline preparations for the deployment – when conditions are met – of a strictly defensive multinational military mission to ensure freedom of navigation.
A French presidential official, asking not to be named, said allies needed to be sure "we have an Iranian commitment not to fire on passing ships and a US commitment not to block any ships leaving or entering the Strait of Hormuz".
"What we want to do is build a credible proposal which is essentially a third way between the maximum pressure previously practiced by the United States on Iran and the resumption of war," they added.
A statement outlining possible next steps is expected after the meeting, with further military planning talks scheduled in the UK next week.
(with newswires)
