Around 40 countries joined a virtual meeting on Thursday to consider collective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran’s blockade of the vital oil route prompted warnings of global economic disruption.
The talks, chaired by Britain’s foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, brought together nations including France, Germany, Canada, India and the United Arab Emirates.
Cooper accused Tehran of “hijacking an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” warning that households and businesses worldwide were already feeling the impact of soaring energy costs.
The meeting followed comments by US President Donald Trump, who insisted it was up to countries reliant on the Strait to secure it, saying they should “just grab it” and protect their own interests.
European leaders, however, dismissed the idea of a military seizure as unrealistic.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in Seoul, cautioned that such an operation would expose shipping to missile threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
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Reports said Thursday’s discussions centred on which nations might join a coalition and what diplomatic or economic pressure could be applied to persuade Iran to reopen the waterway.
While no concrete agreements were reached, there was consensus that Iran should not be allowed to impose transit fees and that freedom of navigation must be upheld.
Military planners are expected to meet next week to explore options such as mine-clearing and reassurance patrols for commercial vessels.
France’s armed forces spokesperson Guillaume Vernet said the process would be phased, requiring coordination at sea and in the air, as well as intelligence-sharing.
Vernet stressed that shipowners would need security guarantees before resuming traffic through the Strait.
Iran closed the passage in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes in late February.
With the Strait carrying roughly 20 per cent of global oil supplies, reopening it has become a priority for governments facing mounting energy costs.
European states, initially reluctant to send naval forces, are now leading efforts to form a coalition, though the United States is not directly involved.
Diplomats acknowledged the initiative remains at an early stage, but Britain and France are pushing to ensure the waterway is restored to international use.