Media: UK to host military talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz

Military strategists from more than 30 countries are set to gather in London for two days of talks beginning Wednesday, April 22, to develop plans for reopening shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Reuters report citing the British government.

The discussions will focus on shaping a coordinated international mission aimed at restoring maritime traffic in the strategically vital waterway and elaborating detailed operational plans.

The initiative follows commitments made last week by more than a dozen countries that expressed readiness to join a UK- and France-led mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, once weather conditions permit.

Those commitments came after a videoconference involving around 50 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, which was intended to demonstrate a unified stance to Washington after US President Donald Trump said he did not require assistance from allies.

The UK Ministry of Defence said the London meeting would build on the “progress” achieved during last week’s consultations.

“The task for today and tomorrow is to turn diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait and maintain a durable ceasefire. (...) I am confident that real progress can be made over the next two days,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

According to the British government, the talks are expected to advance military planning for the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow, and a sustainable truce is in place.

Participants are expected to address key operational elements, including available military capabilities, command and control structures, and the logistics of deploying forces to the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova