London, Britain – All eyes are on the British capital today, Monday, as more than 40 countries hold a high-level meeting to present their military contributions to a British- and French-led “defensive” maritime mission.
This mission aims to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and provide security for international shipping, which has been completely paralyzed since the strait’s closure last February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Turning diplomacy into military plans
The meeting, the third of its kind, is being chaired by British Defence Secretary John Healey and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin. Healey stated that the aim is to translate diplomatic agreements into “practical military plans” to restore the confidence of shipping companies. Britain’s participation in these plans is also considered a cornerstone for ensuring maritime security. Participating countries are expected to contribute advanced capabilities in mine clearance, maritime escort, and aerial surveillance.
In the context of the international mobilization, Mike Waltz, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, revealed that more than 70 countries have already signed a draft international resolution pushing for securing the Strait, stressing that the mission will not actually begin until a final ceasefire agreement is reached or the Iranian war is permanently ended.
Naval reinforcements and US reservations
On the ground, European powers began deploying their heavy artillery; London announced the dispatch of the guided-missile destroyer HMS Dragon. In a show of force, France moved its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Red Sea to send a clear message of readiness. These moves underscore Britain’s military influence in the region.
These moves come amid sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, who described the reluctance of some NATO countries to send naval forces as “unacceptable,” calling the aircraft carriers that were sent late “mere toys,” in a sign of his push for increased direct military involvement.
Field escalation and Tehran’s threats
Despite talk of a ceasefire, this week saw clashes on the ground, as the US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched airstrikes on two empty Iranian oil tankers, claiming they were trying to break the blockade and enter a port.
Tehran was quick to condemn these moves. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that any deployment of foreign destroyers around the Strait under the pretext of protecting navigation constituted a “militarization of a vital waterway” and an escalation of the crisis. Gharibabadi vowed that Iran’s response would be “decisive and immediate,” considering these plans an extension of the American-Israeli war against his country. It is noteworthy that the military plans in the region, under British management, are generating controversy in diplomatic circles.
It is worth noting that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, has led to severe disruptions in global energy markets and a record rise in fuel prices, putting enormous economic pressure on consumers around the world and making the “shipping race” an international national security issue.
