Europe-led coalition prepares mission to reopen Strait of Hormuz

A group of more than 40 countries is meeting in Paris to finalise early plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The France and UK-led coalition insists the operation will only kick in when the war is over. Countries say they are ready to send warships, personnel and demining support.

The coalition of mainly NATO countries, including South Korea, Australia and Japan, is meeting in Paris on Friday and is expected to announce the broad outline of a plan to resume navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The mission is set to include military ships, escorts, armed forces, intelligence, mine-clearing operations and radar capabilities. Some European countries have already sent vessels to the region, Euronews has confirmed.

European leaders have been on the back foot since the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on 28 February, resulting in Iran’s closure of the vital shipping passage, causing havoc with the global economy, with Europe particularly impacted.

The continued effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, first by Iran and now by the US, is set to trigger even more economic pain if efforts fail to secure a lasting ceasefire.

Indirect talks to extend the current ceasefire are ongoing, with some optimism that it can be extended beyond 22 April, when it is due to expire.

The White House feels “good about the prospects of a deal”, US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists Wednesday in Washington.

Read more: Euronews