France convenes 35-nation military talks on reopening Hormuz — defensive escort mission discussed
France said 35 countries joined a videoconference of defense staff chiefs to discuss reopening shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. France's Defense Ministry said talks focused on how to restore freedom of navigation 'once the intensity of hostilities has sufficiently decreased,' potentially through a 'strictly defensive' mission to escort commercial vessels.
Actor responses
France convened 35-country defense staff talks on Hormuz reopening. A 'strictly defensive' commercial vessel escort mission was discussed as a post-hostilities option.
Iran has not responded to the 35-country Hormuz talks. Iran's parliament passed a bill to charge fees on vessels transiting Hormuz and has maintained the de facto closure of the strait since the war began.
The US has stated it does not need Hormuz for its own oil exports. Washington has not publicly commented on the France-led 35-country talks but has been building a multilateral maritime pressure coalition since the war began.
Sources