Finance
UK's Starmer Says More Than a Dozen Countries Ready to Join Hormuz Defensive Mission
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 17, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 17, 2026
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on April 17 that over a dozen countries have offered assets to a strictly defensive multinational mission—co-chaired by the UK and France—that will seek to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities cease. A military planning
UK's Starmer: Over a Dozen Nations to Join Strait of Hormuz Shipping Mission
International Efforts to Secure the Strait of Hormuz
Prime Minister Starmer Announces Multinational Support
PARIS, April 17 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that more than a dozen countries were ready to contribute assets to a defensive mission aimed at restoring the freedom of navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.
Paris Meeting of Global Leaders
France and Britain Co-Chair Discussions
France and Britain chaired a meeting in Paris of 49 countries to discuss preparations for a possible multinational defensive mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow.
Next Steps in the Mission
Military Planning Conference in London
Details on Mission Composition
"We will take this forward with a military plan conference in London next week where we will announce more detail on the composition of the mission, and over a dozen countries have already offered to contribute assets," Starmer told reporters alongside the leaders of France, Germany and Italy.
Global Importance of the Strait
"Reopening the strait is a global necessity and a global responsibility," he said.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by John Irish in Paris and Sam Tabahriti in London, editing by William James)
Key Takeaways
- •Over a dozen countries have pledged assets for a defensive maritime mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once conditions permit (apnews.com)
- •The initiative, co-chaired by the UK and France, brings together around 40 non-belligerent nations and is explicitly defensive in nature (lemonde.fr)
- •A military plan conference in London next week will provide more details on the mission’s composition, following political and diplomatic planning efforts (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about UK's Starmer says more than a dozen countries ready to join Hormuz defensive mission
1What is the defensive mission in the Strait of Hormuz?
The mission is a multinational effort to restore and protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
2How many countries are expected to contribute to the Hormuz mission?
More than a dozen countries have already offered to contribute assets to the mission.
3Who chaired the meeting discussing the Hormuz mission?
France and Britain chaired the meeting with leaders from 49 countries.
4When and where will more mission details be announced?
Further details will be announced at a military plan conference in London next week.
5Why is reopening the Strait of Hormuz considered important?
Reopening the strait is seen as a global necessity and responsibility due to its importance for international shipping.
