France, UK to convene talks on Hormuz navigation mission
France and the UK will organise a conference with partners ready to contribute to a peaceful multinational mission to help restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, President Emmanuel Macron said.
In a post on X, Macron stressed “the need to restore free and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible”. He called for a “peaceful multinational mission,” adding: “This strictly defensive mission, separate from the warring parties to the conflict, is intended to be deployed as soon as circumstances permit.”
France and the UK have in recent years, been working to set up an operation that would allow ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting ends. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said Britain will not be part of a US blockade of Iranian ports in response to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. Starmer told BBC radio that “we’re not supporting the blockade” and “we’re not getting dragged into the war”. He said UK efforts remain focused on reopening the key shipping route, whose closure has sent prices for oil and other commodities soaring. Starmer spoke after US President Donald Trump said Britain would send minesweepers to the strait.
Britain said it might help with mine-clearing in the waterway, but only after the fighting stops. Starmer said all Britain’s military capability is focused on getting the strait “fully open”.
The UK is working with dozens of other countries on plans to restore security to shipping through the key oil route after the conflict.
ASEAN urges more peace negotiations
Jakarta: Southeast Asian countries urged the United States and Iran on Monday to keep going with peace negotiations, enforce a ceasefire and restore the safe passage of ships, seafarers and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz. The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations made the urgent plea as they held an emergency video conference, the second in recent weeks, to assess the impact of the war in the Middle East, including soaring fuel prices, and how they could cooperate in the face of global crises.
