• France and the UK are leading a multinational mission to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Over a dozen countries have already offered to participate in the initiative.
• The mission aims to be strictly defensive and contingent upon a lasting peace agreement.
• The United States and Iran did not participate in the discussions.
• Multilateral military planning discussions are set to continue next week in the UK.

France and the UK announced on April 17 that they would lead a multinational mission to maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative is described as entirely defensive, set to deploy only once a sustainable peace is achieved in the region, as confirmed by both British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron during discussions in Paris. The meeting, attended by representatives from around 49 countries, primarily through video link, notably did not include participants from the United States or Iran, who are actively involved in the ongoing conflict, according to Reuters, Le Monde, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.

During the Paris talks, both Macron and Starmer emphasized the importance of ensuring the safe passage of commercial shipping through the Strait, which is a critical corridor for global oil and gas supplies. "This will be strictly peaceful and defensive," Starmer stated, highlighting that numerous countries had already pledged to contribute resources to this mission. The leaders welcomed Iran's announcement that it was prepared to reopen the Strait to commercial vessels contingent upon a ceasefire, although they stressed the need for full cooperation from all parties involved, as reported by Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The participants at the meeting signaled a united front in calling for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait, emphasizing that around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas usually transits through this narrow waterway. Macron articulated a vision of a neutral mission that stands apart from existing belligerents, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed Italy's readiness to participate once hostilities cease, according to Le Monde and Channel News Asia.

Looking ahead, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted the desirability of US involvement in the mission and confirmed Germany's willingness to participate in further military planning discussions. These discussions are scheduled to continue next week in the UK, where specific operational details will be addressed, as stated by sources from South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.