Multinational Military Consultations on the Escort Issue in the Strait of Hormuz

Reference News Network reported on April 26 According to AFP on April 23, the UK and France stated on the 23rd that they hope to reach a consensus on a military plan aimed at ensuring the safety of the Strait of Hormuz and successfully restoring trade through this important passage.

Senior defense officials stated that during a two-day meeting held in London, military planners from participating countries discussed the feasibility of a multinational mission led by the UK and France, aimed at protecting the freedom of navigation in this critical waterway after a sustainable ceasefire.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey stated that the goal is to form a "defensive multinational mission to enhance confidence in commercial shipping and, if necessary, to clear mines and protect vessels at the end of hostilities."

Healey and French Defense Minister Florence Parly stated in a joint declaration that they "are confident of making real progress."

Healey told attendees: "The international trade, energy, and economic stability of all our countries depend on the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that more than a dozen countries have agreed to participate in the mission to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran stated on the 22nd that it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US continues to blockade Iranian ports.

Although attacks in the region have largely ceased since the ceasefire began, the US and Iran continue to exert pressure around this trade route.

According to the UK Guardian website on April 23, the UK is prepared to deploy a squadron of Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters stationed in Qatar to patrol over the Strait of Hormuz once the war in Iran ends. This is part of a multinational joint mission to ensure the smooth passage of this strategic waterway.

The UK military has also proposed deploying mine-clearing drones and specialized divers to assist in clearing mines laid by Iran in the strait.

At the two-day meeting co-hosted by the UK and France, the deployment of Typhoon fighters was a core proposal put forward by UK military planners.

Representatives from Germany, Norway, South Korea, Australia, and other countries attended the meeting, which concluded on the 23rd. UK sources did not confirm whether the US attended but insisted that the US was "fully informed" throughout.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey also attended the meeting that afternoon. He and French Defense Minister Florence Parly issued a joint statement to the military planners present, stating that their task is to formulate "practical military plans" and "coordinate a joint action plan to maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

However, the specific status of this multinational mission remains unclear. Trump has at times called for other countries to assist in opening the Strait of Hormuz, while at other times stating that the US does not need any external assistance.

The UK and several countries have made it clear that they will not participate in forcibly opening the Strait of Hormuz through military strikes against Iran. However, both the UK and France have committed to taking action to protect tankers and other commercial vessels from anticipated low-level threats once a peace agreement is reached or a sustainable ceasefire is achieved. (Translated by Feng Xue and Xu Yanhong)