France, UK Lead Hormuz Reopening Summit

France and the United Kingdom, led by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer respectively, are co-chairing an international summit in Paris with dozens of nations to address the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The strait was effectively shut by Iran after the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28, and the United States later imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. This has caused significant disruption to global oil trade and raised economic concerns worldwide. The summit aims to plan for a 'strictly defensive multinational military mission' to ensure freedom of navigation through the strait once a lasting ceasefire is in place. The United States is not participating in these planning efforts, as it is considered a belligerent in the conflict. Germany and Italy, represented by Friedrich Merz and Giorgia Meloni, are among the nations attending, expressing willingness to contribute to the mission, which may involve mine-clearing, intelligence sharing, and military escorts. The initiative seeks to demonstrate the capacity for independent action by European and other non-belligerent states to secure vital trade routes.