French President and British Prime Minister Starmer stated on the 17th that France and the UK will, when conditions allow, lead a defensive multinational action to ensure the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Macron and Starmer co-chaired an international conference in the French capital Paris that day, focusing on discussing diplomatic solutions to end the current Middle East conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and, after stability is restored, providing security guarantees for shipping in the strait. German Chancellor Merz and Italian Prime Minister Meloni attended the conference, while other countries participated via video link. The US and Iran were both absent.
At the press conference after the meeting, Macron announced that France would accelerate its coordination with the UK to establish a neutral, independent multinational action to ensure the openness of the Strait of Hormuz. He said that a preparatory meeting on this matter would be held next week in London, the UK capital.
Starmer said that more than a dozen countries are already prepared to provide resource support for this action, which will be entirely defensive in posture, aiming to reassure the shipping industry and support mine clearance efforts. He emphasized that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz "is a global need, as well as a global responsibility." He also hoped that the US and Iran would resume negotiations and reach a lasting agreement.
Meloni said it is necessary to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is free of mine threats, and Italy is willing to provide naval support on the basis of a purely defensive premise.
Merz stated that Germany would participate in the planning discussions and welcomed US participation should circumstances allow.
Regarding Iran's announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on the same day, Macron expressed his welcome but also stressed the need to remain cautious. He also called on all parties to "immediately, unconditionally, and fully" restore passage in the strait, strictly comply with maritime law, and restore navigation conditions as before the conflict.
Macron said that the participants opposed any restrictive measures and any form of fee arrangements, believing such actions attempt to "privatize" the Strait of Hormuz.