French President, Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, are set to convene a meeting of allied nations on Friday to explore the possibility of deploying a multinational force aimed at safeguarding security and ensuring uninterrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz once the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel concludes.
The strategic waterway has been under blockade since February 28, when Iran moved to restrict passage following the outbreak of hostilities with the U.S. and Israel.
The disruption has driven up global energy prices, while a fragile ceasefire has done little to ease tensions, as Washington has imposed its own restrictions on Iranian ports.
European governments have grown increasingly concerned that a prolonged blockade could trigger wider economic fallout, including rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, food shortages and potential flight cancellations linked to fuel constraints.
Leaders joining the discussions, scheduled from 1200 GMT and largely conducted via video conference, are expected to push for the restoration of full maritime access while also examining the broader economic implications of the standoff.
According to an invitation issued by the Elysee Palace and seen by AFP, participants will also “prepare the deployment, when conditions are met, of a strictly defensive multinational military mission, in order to ensure freedom of navigation.”
Officials have underlined that any such deployment would only proceed after the end of the conflict. Macron and Starmer have previously coordinated similar efforts in Europe regarding a proposed force to support Ukraine, contingent on the conclusion of its war with Russia.
Starmer is expected to tell participants that “the unconditional and immediate reopening” of the strait “is a global responsibility”, according to a statement from Downing Street.
He is also set to affirm that both he and Macron are committed “to establish a multinational initiative to protect freedom of navigation” aimed at reassuring commercial shipping and facilitating mine-clearing operations.
A French presidential official, speaking anonymously, stressed the need for assurances from all sides, noting that allies must ensure “we have an Iranian commitment not to fire on passing ships and a U.S. commitment not to block any ships leaving or entering the Strait of Hormuz.”
The meeting will bring together around 30 leaders from Europe, as well as representatives from Asia and the Middle East, mostly via video link, offering Europe an opportunity to demonstrate its strategic role after being largely sidelined in earlier diplomatic efforts led by the United States.
Among those attending in person are German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, their offices confirmed.
The Elysee said the discussions would involve “non belligerent countries,” meaning Iran, Israel and the United States will not participate.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned Thursday that “The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has major consequences for the global economy, and therefore for the daily lives of French citizens and French businesses.”
Downing Street indicated that preparations are already underway for a potential “combined military effort as soon as conditions allow,” adding that senior military officials are expected to meet next week at the U.K.’s Northwood headquarters for further planning.
The Elysee also highlighted concerns over more than 20,000 seafarers stranded aboard hundreds of vessels affected by the blockade.
A French presidential official described the initiative as an effort to create “a credible proposal which is essentially a third way between the maximum pressure previously practiced by the United States on Iran and the resumption of war.”
Chancellor Merz, whose government had initially been cautious about involvement in overseas missions, said Germany was “willing in principle to take part” but acknowledged that “we are still very far from that.”
He added that leaders would also consider the role of the United States, although a French official suggested that Washington, as a direct party to the conflict, should not be included in the proposed mission.
