LONDON — Britain and France said they are prepared to deploy a multinational naval mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, reaffirming plans to help secure one of the world's most important maritime trade routes despite repeated Iranian objections to a foreign military presence in the strategic waterway.
In a joint statement issued on July 3, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron described the Strait of Hormuz as "a vital artery for the global economy" and said restoring safe transit for commercial vessels was "a matter of global concern." They added that the United Kingdom and France stand ready to deploy a broader Multinational Military Mission to support freedom of navigation through the strait.
The two leaders said the Sultanate of Oman had agreed to work with London and Paris to ensure safe navigation through Omani territorial waters, providing a basis for closer cooperation on maritime security in the region.
The announcement follows months of planning by Britain, France and a coalition of partner nations for what officials have described as an independent, defensive mission intended to reassure commercial shipping, support mine-clearance operations and help restore confidence in maritime trade when security conditions permit. According to earlier statements from the British government, operations would be conducted in accordance with international law and would begin only in a permissive security environment.
Iran has consistently opposed the proposal, arguing that security in the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained by the region's littoral states rather than outside powers. Iranian officials have warned against any expanded foreign military presence in the waterway and said extra-regional deployments could increase regional tensions.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, carries a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports, making uninterrupted navigation through the passage a critical concern for energy markets and international shipping. Repeated security incidents and heightened regional tensions have prompted governments and shipping companies to seek additional measures to safeguard commercial traffic.
Britain and France said they remained committed to regional stability, respect for the sovereignty of all states and continued coordination with international partners to uphold freedom of navigation and international law. Neither government announced a timetable for deployment, indicating that any multinational mission would proceed in line with conditions on the ground and consultations with participating countries.
