The United States and the United Kingdom are planning a high-level conference in London next week to discuss forming an international coalition to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios.
The meeting could bring together defense ministers and senior military leaders from Western and regional countries, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine among the potential attendees. The initiative is viewed as a key part of Washington’s strategy for eventually winding down its conflict with Iran while helping restore stability to global energy markets.
This The U.S. is reportedly encouraging allies to contribute naval vessels, mine-clearing ships and surveillance drones to secure the vital shipping corridor. Although Iran has not attacked commercial vessels in the past four days following sustained U.S. strikes against military targets along its southern coast, officials remain divided over how much of Tehran’s capability has been degraded.
Diplomatic efforts are also continuing, with Oman resuming talks in Tehran aimed at establishing a mechanism to safely reopen the Strait, while many countries have indicated they would only join an international maritime mission once hostilities in the waterway have ended.
This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.
