The US and the UK are planning to convene a high-level meeting in London next week for discussing the creation of an international coalition to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to two European diplomats and two other sources familiar with the plans.
The meeting, whose date and agenda are still being finalised, is expected to bring together Defence ministers and senior military commanders from Western countries and regional partners, reports Axios.
According to the sources, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine are expected to attend.
A White House official confirmed that Washington and London are working to organise the conference, while the British Embassy in Washington declined to comment.
The creation of the potential coalition comes as Washington seeks to secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key objective in its strategy for ending the conflict with Iran and stabilising global energy markets.
Since Iran began attacking commercial vessels in the strategic waterway two weeks ago, the US has carried out daily strikes against Iranian military targets along the country’s southern coastline.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump warned that the US would strike Iranian bridges and power plants, including in Tehran, if Iran launched further attacks on commercial vessels. Warning of a tit-for-tat response, Tehran threatened to target the infrastructure of all Gulf states allied with Washington.
The latest tensions followed the collapse of negotiations involving Oman, Iran and Qatar aimed at reaching a new arrangement governing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Shortly post talks ended without agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Tehran for consultations, and the paramilitary force IRGC began attacking vessels transiting the waterway.
On Friday, an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran to resume discussions on proposals to reopen the Strait.
Speaking on the same day, Araghchi said he had discussed several diplomatic initiatives with his Pakistani counterpart, who has been acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington.
“The problem between us and the US is not the lack of a mediator. The problem is America’s approach,” Araghchi argued.
He said that Iran would continue defending what it described as its legitimate interests in the Strait of Hormuz.
“As long as the legitimate objectives and demands of the Iranian people are not fulfilled, it is only natural that we will continue on our course,” he remarked.
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Araghchi also held a telephonic conversation with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi to discuss maritime navigation and the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait.
The ministry said both ministers emphasised the importance of maintaining maritime security and explored regional solutions aimed at preventing further escalation.
According to the sources, Washington hopes to build on discussions previously held by the UK and France with several countries regarding a multinational maritime security mission.
One of the main conditions raised by prospective participants is that hostilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz must subside before an international force can be safely deployed.
The proposed coalition would see participating countries contribute assets including naval vessels, mine-clearing ships and surveillance drones to help safeguard one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes.
“The Americans are looking for a way out, and they want our help,” one European diplomat said.
