Yvette Cooper, the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, chaired a virtual meeting that started in the midday, accompanied by representatives from France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and India.
Around 40 countries are discussing the terms of a joint initiative to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as announced by Britain on Thursday, after President Trump urged the countries that source oil from the Gulf region to restore traffic in this vital waterway. Iran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli-American strikes, through which around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply normally passes. The reopening of the strait has become a major issue for governments in light of the soaring energy prices.
Yvette Cooper emphasized the focus on implementing diplomatic and international measures, including a collective mobilization of diplomatic and economic tools along with the means of pressure available. The United States is not represented at this meeting, according to an official.
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, rejected the idea of military intervention in the strait while in South Korea on a state visit. European nations initially refused to comply with Trump’s request to send ships to the region for fear of being drawn into the conflict. The establishment of a coalition spearheaded by London and Paris is still in its early stages, according to European diplomats. Thursday’s discussions will mainly revolve around countries willing to participate before military planning officials convene next week.
A meeting between the G7 countries and those in the Gulf is scheduled for next week to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the spokesman for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pascal Confavreux. Today’s meeting will contribute to the preparation of the upcoming meeting involving G7 and Gulf countries on this matter, he clarified.
The spokesman for the French Chief of Staff, Guillaume Vernet, explained that the process will unfold in stages and cannot commence until hostilities cease. The key focus of the discussions is to ensure security for ship owners to resume operations in the region and reduce insurance costs. Vernet mentioned the possibility of cooperation with Iran for the security of vessels, although it is not currently on the agenda. Talks will also begin on potential military means that could be deployed.
Vernet emphasized the need to gather an adequate number of vessels and establish coordination in the air and sea, as well as intelligence-sharing capabilities.
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