UK and France lead international planning for Strait of Hormuz reopening

On April 22, 2026, the United Kingdom began hosting military planners from over 30 countries at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in northwest London. This two-day conference, led by the UK and France, follows a larger diplomatic summit held in Paris involving more than 40 nations. The initiative aims to develop a multinational, defensive mission to ensure freedom of navigation and support a lasting ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed for nearly two months. UK Defense Secretary John Healey stated that the goal is to transform diplomatic consensus into a concrete operational plan. The mission is intended to be activated only once a sustainable peace is achieved in the region. Military officials are currently evaluating national capabilities, command structures, and potential deployment strategies. While the UK views this as a vital step toward restoring maritime security, Iran has characterized the ongoing truce extension as a tactical maneuver ahead of potential new hostilities.