More than 40 countries will gather on Monday (the 11th) to determine their military contributions to a European-led mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz once there is a stable ceasefire.
The countries are expected to offer mine-sweeping capabilities, escort, and air policing as part of a defensive naval mission led by the United Kingdom and France, designed to secure commercial ships attempting to cross the strait.
“We are turning the diplomatic agreement into concrete military plans to restore confidence in navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” said the UK Secretary of Defence, John Healey, who will co-chair Monday’s meeting alongside his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin.
Iran has nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz — through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes — after the war erupted with attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28. Since then, the United States has imposed a naval blockade. The disruption rattled oil and gas markets, sent fuel prices soaring, and increased pressure on consumers worldwide.
Britain will dispatch one of its warships — the HMS Dragon, capable of destroying guided missiles — as part of the mission, which will only commence after a durable ceasefire or a peace agreement is reached. Iran is evaluating a new US proposal to end the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump had already criticized the United Kingdom and other NATO countries for hesitating to commit warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He also criticized the British for offering to send aircraft carriers well after the deadline, in his view, when the United States needed the ships, mockingly calling the vessels “toys”.
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