UK and France to Lead Mission to Secure Strait of Hormuz Once 'Conditions Permit'
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PARIS – Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday (17/4/2026) that the UK and France will lead an international military mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as “conditions permit”. The statement was made after Starmer attended an international summit organised by France on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
“I can confirm that, together with France, the UK will lead a multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation as soon as conditions permit,” Starmer told reporters after the summit, which was attended by representatives from 49 countries.
Starmer emphasised that the defence mission is entirely peaceful in nature to guarantee the security of commercial shipping and support mine clearance. More than a dozen countries have expressed their willingness to send military equipment to the Strait of Hormuz after a sustainable ceasefire between Iran and the US was agreed, Starmer said.
He invited all willing parties to join the mission. Starmer also announced a meeting of defence ministry representatives from participating countries in the mission, scheduled to take place next week in London.
“The strait must be reopened immediately, without tolls and without restrictions,” Starmer stated.
On 13 April, the US Navy began blockading all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Washington has allowed non-Iranian vessels to cross the Strait of Hormuz, provided they do not pay tolls to Tehran.
Iranian authorities have not yet announced the imposition of tolls but have discussed such plans. On 28 February, the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties.
Iran responded by attacking Israeli territory and several US military facilities in the Middle East. Many countries in the region even closed part or all of their airspace amid risks of missile and drone attacks.