UK and France to Host Strait of Hormuz Defense Ministers' Meeting on 5/12, Aiming to Restore Shipping Confidence

US-Iran War Key News

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency, London, 10th, comprehensive foreign report) The British government announced that the UK and France will jointly host a multinational defense ministers' meeting on the 12th to discuss military plans to restore trade flow in the Strait of Hormuz.

Agence France-Presse reported that Tehran had warned London and Paris hours before the announcement not to send warships to the region.

The British Ministry of Defence stated today in a statement: "Defence Secretary John Healey will co-chair the first multinational mission defense ministers' meeting with French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin, with over 40 countries participating."

This online meeting follows a two-day military planners' meeting held in London in April. At that time, detailed discussions were held on how the UK-France-led multinational mission could ensure the safety of shipping in this critical waterway after achieving a lasting ceasefire.

Healey stated: "We are translating diplomatic agreements into viable military plans to rebuild confidence in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz."

Meanwhile, the UK and France have dispatched warships to the Middle East. France sent the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the region, and the UK announced yesterday that it would dispatch the destroyer HMS Dragon.

The two countries stated that the deployments are "pre-positioning operations" before an international mission to help protect shipping safety.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had earlier warned the UK and France, stating that warships, "regardless of their country of origin," would be met with a "decisive and immediate response."

Gharibabadi stated: "Only the Islamic Republic of Iran can maintain security in this strait."

French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently stated in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that France "never planned" to deploy a navy in the Strait of Hormuz, only planning a security mission "to be coordinated with Iran."

He stated at a press conference that he opposes blockades from any party and rejects "any tolls" for ensuring the smooth passage of ships through this strategic waterway.

The British Ministry of Defence stated that the deployment of HMS Dragon will enhance merchant ship confidence and support mine clearance after the conflict ends. (Edited by Ho Hung-Ju) 1150511

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