France and the United Kingdom to lead summit on Hormuz Strait navigation

On April 17, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair a video conference regarding the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The summit will gather nations willing to contribute to an independent, multilateral, and defensive mission aimed at restoring maritime transit once security conditions permit. This initiative is distinct from United States operations. Concurrently, President Macron has engaged in diplomatic discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, calling for the resumption of negotiations to prevent further escalation. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blocked for one month amid regional tensions, with the U.S. having recently implemented a naval blockade of Iranian ports following the failure of earlier diplomatic talks. France and the UK have not yet disclosed the number of participating countries for the upcoming summit. Officials stressed the need for a diplomatic resolution and a ceasefire in Lebanon alongside the restoration of unhindered, toll-free navigation.