France, UK to Lead Key Conference on Strait of Hormuz Security

PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that France and Britain will soon organize a conference aimed at restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the proposed naval mission as “strictly defensive” and separate from the warring parties.

“This strictly defensive mission, which will be separate from the warring parties, is intended to be deployed as soon as the situation allows,” Macron said on X.

The announcement came as the United States declared a naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move that drew sharp international reactions. The Kremlin said the blockade would hurt global markets. Iran called it “piracy” and warned that no Gulf port would remain secure if Iranian ports were endangered. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan raised concerns about new regulations for the strait, urging a diplomatic solution.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London would not support a blockade, stressing the importance of reopening the waterway. China called for calm and restraint. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused Washington of “maximalism” after weekend talks in Pakistan collapsed, adding: “If you fight, we will fight.”

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global energy supplies pass, has been a central flashpoint in the ongoing US-Iran war.

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