UK, France to Host Strait of Hormuz Defense Ministers' Meeting on May 12, Aiming to Rebuild Shipping Confidence

US-Iran War Key News

(Central News Agency, London, May 10, comprehensive foreign report) The British government announced that the United Kingdom and France will co-host a multinational defense ministers' meeting on May 12 to discuss military plans for restoring trade flow in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Agence France-Presse, hours before this announcement, Tehran had warned London and Paris not to deploy warships to the region.

Britain's Ministry of Defence stated today in a statement: "Defence Secretary John Healey will co-chair the first multinational task force defense ministers' meeting involving over 40 countries, with French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin."

This online meeting follows a two-day military planners' meeting held in London in April. At that time, detailed discussions were held on how the UK-France led multinational task force would guarantee shipping safety in this critical waterway after achieving a lasting ceasefire.

Healey said: "We are translating diplomatic agreements into viable military plans to rebuild confidence in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz."

At the same time, the UK and France have deployed warships to the Middle East. France has dispatched the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the region, and the UK announced yesterday that it would send the destroyer HMS Dragon.

Both countries stated that the deployments are "pre-positioning operations" before an international mission to help protect shipping safety.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi earlier warned the UK and France, stating that warships, "regardless of their country of origin," would face "a decisive and immediate response."

Gharibabadi stated: "Only the Islamic Republic of Iran can maintain security in this strait."

French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently stated in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that France "never planned" to deploy its navy in the Strait of Hormuz, but only planned a security mission "to be coordinated with Iran."

He stated at a press conference that he opposed blockades from any side and rejected "any toll" for the smooth passage of ships through this strategic waterway.

Britain's Ministry of Defence pointed out that the deployment of HMS Dragon will enhance confidence among merchant ships and support mine clearance after the conflict ends. (Compiler: He Hong-ru) 1150511

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