France set to host conference on security, navigation in Strait of Hormuz

A conference involving around 30 countries will begin in France on April 17, focusing on reopening maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for oil exports from Gulf states, according to BFM.

The meeting will take place at the Élysée Palace under the chairmanship of French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and is scheduled to start at 14:00 local time.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have also confirmed their in-person participation. Representatives from other countries in Europe, the Middle East, and South America will join via video link.

The Élysée Palace stressed that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is an urgent issue due to the global economic consequences of the ongoing conflict.

It was also clarified that any future mission will be strictly defensive in nature and will only begin after the cessation of hostilities between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.

The United States will not participate in the conference and will not be involved in a potential mission, although France and its allies plan to exchange information with Washington.