The United Kingdom and France are set to host a meeting on Tuesday involving defense ministers from dozens of countries to discuss military plans aimed at restoring maritime shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the British government announced.
In a statement, the UK Ministry of Defence said, “Defence Secretary John Healey, together with his French counterpart, Minister Catherine Vautrin, will chair a meeting of more than 40 countries—the first gathering of defense ministers under the multinational mission framework.”
The announcement came just hours after Iran warned London and Paris against deploying naval assets to the region.
Hopes for a near-term end to the 10-week Iran war—which would allow oil shipments to resume through the Strait of Hormuz—were diminished after President Donald Trump on Sunday described Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal for peace talks as “unacceptable.”
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday, and U.S. officials said he is expected to discuss the Iran issue, among other matters, with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
AFP
