France and UK to Lead Multinational Force to Secure Strait of Hormuz

Apr 17, 2026

France and the United Kingdom are convening a coalition summit in Paris on Friday with over 30 nations, including China and other Asian countries, to deploy a multinational force aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative represents Europe's first major intervention in a conflict that began six weeks ago with a US-Israeli bombardment on Iran, which has led to the strait's closure. Notably, the United States, Israel, and Iran have not been invited to the summit, as Europe insists it is not a party to the underlying war while asserting neutrality. The crisis is already imposing significant costs on Europe through soaring energy prices and the diversion of munitions from Ukraine to address the Strait of Hormuz situation.

European Coalition Formation to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

▪The Parisian summit represents the first major European push to influence a war that was launched six weeks ago.
▪The Parisian summit on the Strait of Hormuz is taking place on Friday.
▪France and Britain are pulling together a coalition of more than 30 nations for a Parisian summit aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Exclusion of US, Israel, and Iran from Diplomatic Efforts

▪A war was launched six weeks ago by a US-Israeli bombardment on Iran.
▪The United States has not been invited to the Parisian summit on the Strait of Hormuz.

Economic and Strategic Consequences for Europe

▪Europe insists it is not a party to the war involving the Strait of Hormuz.

Perspective of France and United Kingdom

▪France and Britain are attempting to assert European leadership on a Middle Eastern security crisis by excluding traditional Western allies.
▪The France-UK coalition aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through a multinational defensive force focused on freedom of navigation.

Perspective of European nations participating in the coalition

▪Over 30 nations view the Strait of Hormuz crisis as requiring a European-led multilateral response rather than US-led intervention.

Perspective of United States

▪The United States is being sidelined from a major international security initiative despite its traditional leadership role in Middle Eastern maritime security.