The multinational alliance will strive for «the joint activation of all our diplomatic and economic mechanisms» to support a «secure and finishuring reopening» of the Strait of Hormuz, announced the British foreign secretary.
On Thursday, more than 40 nations established a coalition aimed at ensuring unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel for energy trade, once the intense phase of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran concludes.
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The coalition gathers participants worldwide, illustrating the global repercussions of the economic disturbances triggered by the near-complete shutdown of this maritime route.
The first session, conducted online and chaired by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, coincided with US President Donald Trump’s increasing demands on European partners to assist in reopening the essential strait, where thousands of vessels continue to be stuck.
«Iran has taken control of an international shipping corridor, effectively holding the global economy hostage,» Cooper stated during her opening remarks, highlighting the potential for severe disruptions affecting gas, aviation fuels, fertilizers, and overall living costs.
According to Cooper, the coalition intfinishs to pursue the «joint mobilisation of the full spectrum of our diplomatic and economic instruments» to facilitate a «secure and sustained reopening» of Hormuz, currently governed by a toll system under Tehran’s direct control. Introducing new economic sanctions against the Iranian regime could be one aspect of this strategy.
Simultaneously, military coordinators will investigate strategies to coordinate defense efforts, including mine clearance and escort missions, «once hostilities diminish,» she added.
Officials from Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) collectively advocated for establishing a «humanitarian corridor» to ensure the safe transport of fertilizers and avoid a potential food shortage, as reported by the Italian foreign ministest.
European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas participated in the discussions on behalf of the EU.
«Iranian assaults on civilian vessels, coupled with continuing threats, have brought the traffic in the Strait of Hormuz nearly to a standstill. Therefore, restoring secure, toll-free navigation in line with the Law of the Sea is an urgent priority,» Kallas remarked ahead of the meeting. «The EU supports all diplomatic measures geared toward this goal.»
The virtual summit mainly concentrated on evaluating the current situation and unifying positions, rather than creating immediate operational decisions. No collective declaration was issued.
This development arises as Bahrain prepares to submit a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at safeguarding commercial shipping through the strait, potentially paving the way for intervention during the conflict’s active stage.
As per Reuters, the updated draft has omitted explicit language mandating enforcement and now seeks authorization for states, individually or collectively, to employ «all necessary means proportionate to the circumstances» to guarantee safe navigation.
‘Summon some overdue courage’
The Strait of Hormuz typically transports one-fifth of the world’s oil, gas, and jet fuel under normal circumstances. Its geographical buildup—with shallow waters and elevated terrain—favours Iran’s military tactics, including missile and drone attacks. Vessels attempting transit face numerous hazards that neither owners nor insurers are willing to accept.
Ensuring secure passage through Hormuz has been a sustained demand by President Donald Trump, who insists this high-risk tinquire should be undertaken not by the US but by the countries reliant on Middle Eastern oil and gas.
Trump has particularly criticized NATO allies for declining to dispatch naval vessels into the midst of an armed conflict, even though Europe imports only a minor proportion of its energy from the region. Nevertheless, the continent is experiencing significant impact from market ripple effects, with soaring oil and gas prices cautilizing concern.
In a national address on Wednesday, the US president urged other countries to «summon some overdue courage» and restore free navigation.
«Countries that receive oil through the Strait of Hormuz must take responsibility for its security. They should protect and value it. This tinquire is achievable,» Trump declared in his speech.
«Go to the strait, seize control, safeguard it, and utilize it for your own benefit. Iran has already been heavily weakened. The toughest phase is over, so this should be straightforward.»
The US did not take part in Thursday’s online meeting.
Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio finishorsed a G7 statement emphasizing the «absolute necessity of permanently restoring safe and toll-free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,» though it did not involve specific commitments.
After leaving the G7 summit in France, Rubio described efforts to reopen the strait as a «post-conflict necessity.» However, Trump soon contradicted this position, urging allies to «start learning how to fight for yourselves» without relying on American assistance.
French President Emmanuel Macron pushed back against Trump’s demands, warning that testing to secure the narrow passage by military means was «unrealistic.»
«It would take an indefinite amount of time and expose all vessels utilizing the Strait to threats from the Revolutionary Guards as well as ballistic missiles,» Macron stated on Thursday.
«This isn’t a game,» he added when responding to Trump’s criticisms of NATO partners. «This concerns war and peace. Seriousness is required.»
This article has been updated.
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