U.S., U.K. plan London coalition talks on Strait of Hormuz as Iran ship attacks pause
A U.S. and U.K. plan to convene a high-level meeting in London as early as next week puts the Strait of Hormuz, and global energy markets, directly in focus. Reported by Axios and confirmed by a White House official…
A U.S. and U.K. plan to convene a high-level meeting in London as early as next week puts the Strait of Hormuz, and global energy markets, directly in focus. Reported by Axios and confirmed by a White House official, the proposed conference would bring together defense ministers and top military commanders from Western and regional nations to discuss an international maritime coalition. Keeping the strait open for commercial shipping is described as a key element of any U.S. exit strategy from the war with Iran.
Conference structure still taking shape
The itinerary and date remain under discussion and have not been finalized. Two European diplomats and two additional sources with knowledge of the plans told Axios that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine would potentially attend. The British embassy in Washington declined to comment.
The U.S. wants to build on discussions the U.K. and France held with multiple countries about a coalition framework over recent months. A condition set by many prospective participants: fighting in the strait must end before any international mission deploys. Allied contributions being sought include de-mining vessels, naval vessels and drones to secure the shipping lanes.
Four days without an Iranian attack on ships
Iran began targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz two weeks ago. The U.S. has since conducted daily strikes on Iranian military targets along Iran's southern coast, and over the last four days no Iranian attacks on commercial ships have been recorded.
U.S. defense officials hold different views on what that pause signals. Some say Iran's military capability around the strait has been "all but eliminated" by American strikes. Others say Iran can still attack ships in the area. On Wednesday, President Trump threatened to bomb bridges and power plants, including in Tehran, if Iran resumes attacks. Iran responded by threatening infrastructure in Gulf states allied with the United States.
Diplomacy still in motion
The strait's escalation followed the collapse of negotiations among Oman, Iran and Qatar over a new arrangement there. After those talks ended, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Tehran for consultations, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began firing at ships.
On Friday, an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran to restart talks. Araghchi said he discussed proposals with his Pakistani counterpart, a mediator in U.S.-Iran negotiations, and pressed Tehran's position: "The problem between us and the U.S. is not the lack of a mediator. The problem is America's approach." He spoke by phone that same day with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. Iran's foreign ministry said both ministers discussed "the security of maritime navigation, and the passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz" and explored regional solutions to prevent further escalation. One European diplomat summarized the American posture plainly: "The Americans are looking for a way out, and they want our help."
What to watch
A confirmed date and host venue for the London meeting are the first concrete signals the conference moves beyond the planning stage. Any formal commitment of allied naval assets to the region would be the step after that.