UK hosting countries for talks on Strait of Hormuz mission
Military planners from countries willing to join a mission led by Britain and France to keep the Strait of Hormuz open once the Iran war ends will meet in London on Wednesday.
A fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait, and Iran’s effective closure of the critical supply route following a US-Israeli bombing campaign that began in February caused a global economic shock and sent energy prices soaring.
More than 30 countries are expected to send planners to the two-day conference, co-hosted by Britain and France, which starts on Wednesday at the UK Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north London.
They will build on talks between Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris last week to establish a joint defense mission once a sustainable ceasefire agreement is reached.
The mission’s aim is to protect commercial ships, reassure commercial maritime operators and conduct mine clearing operations.
The talks in London will focus on military capabilities, command and control and how military forces can be deployed in the region.
Defense Secretary John Healey said: “The task today and tomorrow is to translate diplomatic consensus into a common plan to protect freedom of navigation in the strait and support a permanent ceasefire.
“I believe real progress can be made in the next two days.
“International trade, energy security and the stability of the global economy depend on freedom of navigation.
“By building on our common purpose, strengthening multinational coordination and effective collective action planning, we can help reopen the strait, stabilize the global economy and protect our people.”
The rise in fuel costs has led many people in the UK to change their behaviour, according to a Savanta survey commissioned by the Liberal Democrats.
The report found that 49 per cent of drivers in the UK said they had reduced the use of their cars and one in 10 had stocked up on fuel, while 25 per cent of employees said they were working from home or changing their working patterns due to rising commuting costs.
The blockage of the strait has also led airlines to cancel flights and raise fares to cover costs and prepare for fuel shortages.
