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HORMUZ STRAIT

Britain and France to lead 30-country talks on coalition to reopen strait


Britain and France to lead 30-country talks on coalition to reopen strait

Cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz, seen from northern Ras al‑Khaimah amid the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, March 11, 2026. (Credit: Reuters archive photo)

Britain and France will chair talks of about 30 countries this week aiming to set up a coalition mission to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed by Iran since the start of the Middle East war, UK media reported Wednesday.

A meeting of chief of defense staffs would take place later this week, the Guardian reported, quoting a defence official. "I anticipate that at some point in the near future there'll be some kind of strait of Hormuz security conference," the official added.

The Times said the UK has offered to host a later summit in southern Portsmouth or London to hammer out details and build the coalition, which would ensure the waterway could be reopened "as soon as the conditions are right," defense officials said.

Britain and France will chair talks of about 30 countries this week aiming to set up a coalition mission to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed by Iran since the start of the Middle East war, UK media reported Wednesday.

A meeting of chief of defense staffs would take place later this week, the Guardian reported, quoting a defence official. "I anticipate that at some point in the near future there'll be some kind of strait of Hormuz security conference," the official added.

The Times said the UK has offered to host a later summit in southern Portsmouth or London to hammer out details and build the coalition, which would ensure the waterway could be reopened "as soon as the conditions are right," defense officials said.