UK leads 40-nation talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz — US not participating

The United Kingdom convened a 40-nation diplomatic summit on April 3 to address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blockaded since the conflict began. The United States chose not to participate — a significant absence that underscores the US preference for bilateral or unilateral action over multilateral diplomatic frameworks for the strait. The 40 participating nations, predominantly European and Asian states dependent on Gulf energy, discussed options including naval escort corridors, diplomatic channels to Tehran, and UNSC engagement. The GCC Secretary-General's simultaneous call for UNSC force authorization complemented the UK diplomatic track. The talks represent the most significant multilateral diplomatic effort on Hormuz since the blockade began.