PARIS, France — French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an international summit in Paris on Friday, bringing together dozens of countries to advance plans aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route disrupted by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The meeting, held at the Élysée Palace, gathered representatives from around 50 nations and international organizations, including more than 30 heads of state and government. Notably absent from the initiative is the United States, which has taken a separate course of action in the conflict.
The summit forms part of a broader effort by countries not directly involved in the war, which began on Feb. 28, to mitigate its global economic consequences. Iran has effectively closed the narrow strait, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply typically passes, triggering widespread concern over energy security and trade disruptions.
Macron, in a statement prior to the meeting, emphasized that the proposed maritime mission would be “strictly defensive,” limited to non-belligerent states and deployed only when conditions permit safe navigation. The initiative has been formally named the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative.
Starmer, who is facing mounting political pressure domestically, underscored the urgency of restoring access to the waterway, describing Iran’s actions as “holding the world’s economy to ransom.” He called for the “unconditional and immediate reopening” of the strait to stabilize global energy flows.
France and the United Kingdom have also led a series of military planning discussions, echoing previous coalition efforts seen in support of Ukraine. However, French military officials indicated that the operation remains in development, with contributions from participating countries expected to vary depending on their capabilities.
According to French officials, proposed measures to secure maritime passage could include intelligence-sharing, mine-clearing operations, military escorts, and coordinated communication with coastal states. The final structure of the mission will depend heavily on the evolving security environment and the possibility of a sustained ceasefire.
Experts suggest that mine-clearing and maritime threat warning systems are more feasible than escorting commercial vessels. Sidharth Kaushal of the Royal United Services Institute noted that escorting tankers would require a scale of naval deployment that few countries can currently sustain.
Similarly, Ellie Geranmayeh of the European Council on Foreign Relations pointed to mine-clearing as a key area where European nations could contribute, adding that a reduced U.S. military presence in such operations may help avoid further escalation with Iran.
The United Kingdom has reportedly explored the use of mine-hunting drones deployed from the vessel RFA Lyme Bay, while France has mobilized significant naval assets, including a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, a helicopter carrier, and several frigates. In contrast, the Royal Navy has deployed a single major warship, HMS Dragon, to the eastern Mediterranean.
More than 40 countries have participated in recent diplomatic and military discussions led by France and Britain, although analysts caution that fewer may ultimately commit tangible military resources.
The initiative also reflects a broader geopolitical shift, as European nations and allies seek to demonstrate their capacity for coordinated action independent of Washington. This comes amid criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly rebuked allies for not joining the conflict and questioned their military capabilities.
Analysts say the extent of international participation in the mission remains uncertain, particularly given existing military constraints. Still, the Paris summit marks a significant step in multilateral efforts to restore stability in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.
