Without the USA: 30 Countries to Discuss Forming a Coalition to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The UK and France will lead talks involving around 30 countries on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The publication L’Orient Today reports that the talks will begin this week.

A meeting of defense chiefs of staff will follow.

“I expect a conference on the security of the Strait of Hormuz to take place in the near future,” added a representative of one of the defense agencies.

After US President Donald Trump’s attempt to shift responsibility for unblocking the Strait of Hormuz to allies in Europe, as well as to Japan, Australia, and Canada, failed, preparations for missions to unblock the strait did not stop.

The allies began preparations for the mission without US participation.

As early as March 19, the countries held the first inaugural meeting of the mission in London and signed a joint declaration stating:

“We express our readiness to join relevant measures aimed at ensuring safe passage through the strait. We welcome the readiness of the countries participating in the preparatory measures.”

Canada, which had previously declined a similar request from the US, will join the expanded group. A summit is expected to follow to finalize the details, likely in Portsmouth.

European countries are gradually deploying ships to two assembly points—near Cyprus and in the southwestern Indian Ocean.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime transport routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

It is located between the coast of Iran to the north and the territories of Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. A significant portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes through the strait.