A high-level two-day meeting begins Wednesday in London to discuss ways to ensure safe and normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes. The conference is jointly organized by the governments of France, led by Emmanuel Macron, and the United Kingdom. Defense ministers, senior military officials, and planners from more than 30 countries are expected to attend. Over a dozen nations have already expressed interest in joining a UK- and France-led international mission to protect navigation in the area.

According to Reuters, nearly 50 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have shown willingness to participate in the proposed mission. The London meeting follows an online video conference involving about 50 nations, where the decision to convene this gathering was finalized. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that the meeting aims to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan supporting a lasting ceasefire and freedom of navigation in the strait.

Analysts note that security in the Strait of Hormuz is vital for global trade and energy supply, but recent regional tensions and the Iran-Israel conflict have sharply reduced commercial traffic, affecting global energy markets.