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UK, France to Convene Multinational Strait of Hormuz Security Talks

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The UK and France will host a multinational Strait of Hormuz meeting on Tuesday, the UK's Ministry of Defense said in a Monday statement.

The UK also said the warship HMS Dragon will forward deploy to the region to support future maritime security operations.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey and French Minister Catherine Vautrin will co-chair the first Defense Ministers' meeting for the Hormuz mission with representatives from more than 40 nations.

Participating countries will outline military contributions for a defensive operation aimed at reopening and securing the Strait of Hormuz once regional conditions improve.

The UK has already hosted military planners from 44 countries at Permanent Joint Headquarters meetings on April 22-23.

"The UK is leading this multinational, defensive mission because trade, energy, and economic security for working people here at home depend on it," Healey said.

"We are turning diplomatic agreement into practical military plans to restore confidence for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz," Healey said, adding nations meeting Tuesday are preparing to act rather than hold discussions alone.

Tomorrow's talks follow a summit between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron and recent military planning sessions that shaped a coordinated multinational Hormuz strategy.

Healey said he ordered HMS Dragon to the Middle East so Britain can support the mission immediately when governments authorize operations in the region.

The UK expects HMS Dragon to support mine-clearance operations, protect commercial shipping and strengthen confidence among vessel operators through its forward regional deployment, the ministry said.

The warship recently completed weapons and sensor exercises near Crete at a North Atlantic Treaty Organization facility, including live-fire drills under high-threat operational scenarios.

The Strait of Hormuz closure continues to disrupt shipping linked to nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies, driving higher energy prices and increasing supply-chain costs worldwide, the ministry said.

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