France and Britain to Co-Chair Maritime Security Conference

France and Britain will co-chair a conference in Paris on Friday to discuss a proposed maritime security mission in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting will involve nations not engaged in active conflict who are willing to participate in what is described as a purely defensive operation aimed at restoring freedom of navigation.

The mission would proceed "when security conditions allow," according to a statement from the French presidency.

Conference Details

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will jointly chair the conference. Some participant nations will join the discussions via videoconference.

Proposed Mission Objectives

The stated objective of the mission is to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments.

In recent weeks, French and British officials have been working to establish an operation to escort oil tankers and container ships to help ensure safe passage through the strait. European and other partner nations have reportedly expressed readiness to contribute to the effort.

Recent Context

The announcement of the conference follows two recent diplomatic events involving the host leaders:

• On April 8, 2026, President Macron greeted two French nationals, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, at the Elysee Palace in Paris following their release from detention in Iran after three and a half years.
• On March 26, 2026, Prime Minister Starmer attended the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Leaders' Summit in Helsinki, Finland.