Strait of Hormuz maritime security initiative chaired by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron chaired a virtual meeting on Friday for the new Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative. India was invited, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed, as 40 nations joined. The talks aimed to improve security cooperation and protect critical supply chains that support global industry.

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The meeting followed public online exchanges between Iran and the US about the key shipping corridor. The messages said the Strait of Hormuz would stay open during the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Lebanon. The exchanges also came as US-Iran negotiations continued, raising attention on trade and energy flows.

Strait of Hormuz maritime freedom of navigation initiative goals

Starmer, in Paris for a joint UK-French summit, linked the plan to global trade needs. "The unconditional and immediate reopening of the Strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again,\" Starmer said. Starmer also set out steps to ease commercial shipping concerns.

Starmer also spoke about broader cooperation with France and other partners. \"Emmanuel Macron and I are clear in our commitment to establish a multinational initiative to protect freedom of navigation. We must reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance operations to ensure a return to global stability and security,\" Starmer said.

Strait of Hormuz maritime freedom of navigation initiative planning and defence

Downing Street said the leaders would focus on supporting what it called a fragile ceasefire. The aim was to reopen and secure routes through the Strait for the long term. Officials said the work would complement diplomatic efforts meant to reinforce peace in the region.

Discussions were also set to cover the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The IMO joined the summit, officials said, to help protect seafarers and vessels. Downing Street said planning was already underway for a combined military effort when conditions allow. It added that the international mission would be strictly defensive.

Friday’s conference was due to be followed by a multinational military planning summit. The meeting was set for next week at Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London. Officials also said partners were expected to engage more with the insurance industry. The goal was to speed commercial shipping mobilisation when conditions allow.

Strait of Hormuz maritime freedom of navigation initiative amid Iran-US statements

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. Araghchi wrote that \"following the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire.\" The statement was presented as applying during the ceasefire period.

US President Donald Trump replied with a thank you message. Trump also wrote on the Truth Social platform that the naval blockade will remain in full force until the transaction with Iran is 100 per cent complete. \"This process should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated,\" Trump stated.

Separately, Starmer and Macron were set to hold bilateral talks over lunch in Paris. The agenda included Europe’s support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. The talks were also expected to cover illegal migration, growth, and steps to strengthen European security, alongside the maritime initiative.

With inputs from PTI