Fez– More than 40 countries are preparing to join a major international effort aimed at securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the region continue to disrupt global trade and energy markets.
The meeting, scheduled for Monday, will bring together defense representatives from over 40 nations to discuss military contributions to a European-led maritime mission designed to escort commercial vessels and restore safe navigation through the strategic waterway.
According to BBC News, the meeting will be chaired jointly by British Defense Secretary John Healey and French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin.
The talks will be held remotely and mark the first ministerial-level meeting under the multinational maritime initiative.
The planned mission, led by Britain and France, is expected to focus on naval escort and mine-clearing operations to reassure commercial ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
The move comes as the region faces one of its most serious maritime crises in years.
The announcement came only hours after Iran warned both London and Paris against deploying naval forces to the area.
The warning followed recent decisions by the two European powers to strengthen their military presence in the Middle East.
France has already deployed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the region, while Britain announced plans to send the destroyer HMS Dragon.
Both governments described the deployments as precautionary measures intended to prepare for any future international mission to protect maritime navigation once conditions allow.
Speaking during a visit to Nairobi, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that France has never considered imposing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Instead, he said Paris supports a security mission that would be coordinated with Iran.
Macron also reaffirmed his opposition to any attempt to block the strait from any side, in an apparent reference to both Iranian restrictions and the American naval pressure campaign currently targeting Iranian shipping routes.
A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defense described the deployment of HMS Dragon as a “precautionary step” to ensure the United Kingdom remains ready to contribute to securing the waterway whenever conditions permit.
Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has faced severe disruption.
The US has increased pressure on Tehran through naval measures targeting Iranian ports and vessels crossing the strait, while Iran has responded by significantly restricting the passage of commercial ships and oil tankers.
The growing confrontation has deepened the shipping crisis across the region, driving up transportation costs, raising oil prices, and increasing security risks for vessels traveling through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
