Paris, 18 April (H.S.):

France and Britain have unveiled a bold multinational maritime coalition to safeguard navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint artery for one-fifth of global oil trade disrupted by escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.

On Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired a landmark virtual summit in Paris, uniting 49 European and Asian nations including dozens of heads of state to forge this strictly defensive force, deployable only post-regional peace accord.

Strategic Genesis and Diplomatic Choreography

The initiative crystallized amid Iran's April 16 declaration reopening the strait for commercial vessels during an interim ceasefire, a respite from its February 28 blockade that ignited global inflation alarms and fuel scarcity fears.

Starmer underscored the mission's neutrality, aimed at reassuring shipping lanes and aiding mine-sweeping, with over a dozen countries pledging assets; Macron hailed it as pivotal to cementing Tehran's overture into enduring stability, decoupled from belligerents like the U.S. and Iran, who boycotted proceedings.

Italy's Giorgia Meloni and Germany's Friedrich Merz voiced readiness to join, contingent on hostilities' cessation, while military chiefs convene next week at Britain's Northwood headquarters to refine operations.

Europe's Assertive Pivot and Economic Imperative

This Franco-British leadership marks Europe's resurgence in Gulf diplomacy, sidestepping U.S. dominance after President Trump's curt rebuff of NATO aid, insisting his blockade persists until a full Iran deal materializes.

Starmer invoked economic salvationthe world needs Hormuz fully open to tame prices and halt global damage as oil plunged from $120 to $90 per Brent barrel on reopening news, buoying markets yet underscoring volatility.

French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and UK counterparts emphasized patrols, surveillance, and deterrence against tanker threats, fortifying a corridor vital to international commerce.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar