UK, France Refuse Hormuz Patrols Before Sustainable Ceasefire

European allies of the United States, notably the United Kingdom and France, are refusing to back American-led patrols in the Strait of Hormuz until a lasting ceasefire is established in the war with Iran. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed the joint patrol initiative with British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting by telephone on Friday, 24 July. French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin subsequently joined the discussions on Monday, 27 July. American and British officials are set to convene an international conference in London to delineate each nation’s role and assign warships tasked with minesweeping or protecting civilian shipping through the strait. The diplomatic push follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on 8 July that the ceasefire with Iran, reached on 18 June, was no longer in effect. Since that date, the US military has launched a series of strikes against Iran. The escalation around Iran has resulted in a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, severely impacting exports and production. Consequently, most countries are experiencing rising fuel and industrial product prices.