Necva Tastan Sevinc
18 April 2026•Update: 18 April 2026
European leaders early Saturday called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for a UK-France-led multinational mission to protect maritime navigation following a high-level international meeting.
Speaking after a video conference that brought together 49 countries, alongside the EU and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Starmer said participants agreed to accelerate military planning to secure the strategic waterway.
“I can confirm that, along with France, the UK will lead a multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation as soon as conditions allow,” said Starmer, describing the operation as “strictly peaceful and defensive.”
He added that the mission would aim to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance efforts, while inviting countries with a stake in global trade to contribute.
More than one dozen nations have already signaled a readiness to provide assets, he said, with a planning conference set in London next week.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the meeting aimed to secure the reopening of the waterway amid regional tensions, warning that disruptions have had “very severe consequences” for global markets, including oil, gas and fertilizer supplies.
Macron welcomed “encouraging” ceasefire announcements involving Iran, the US and Lebanon,” but stressed the need for a lasting solution.
“We all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that countries oppose “any restrictions” or attempts to impose toll systems or to “privatize” the strait.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underlined the economic stakes, noting that 20% of global oil and gas consumption passes through the strait, alongside key shipments of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers.
“Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is vital … for the international community in its entirety,” she said, adding that Italy is ready to contribute naval assets to the planned mission, subject to parliamentary approval.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said there was a “broad consensus” among participants, stressing that any reopening must ensure “toll-free” and unrestricted passage for commercial vessels.
"It's in the interest of all of us that skyrocketing energy prices have to be brought back downwards as soon as possible, and this war must not turn into a transatlantic stress test," he added.
Iran on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, in line with the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon that took effect Thursday midnight, but along a determined route.
Tehran blocked the key oil shipping channel after the US and Israel attacked the country on Feb. 28. A ceasefire between the US and Iran is due to expire on April 22, and talks for a durable peace are expected in Islamabad soon.
