Leaders of 35 countries recently signed a joint statement in which they said they were willing to contribute to “appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz”.
Many of their foreign ministers will take part in a “virtual summit” around lunchtime today. The remit is to discuss “viable diplomatic and political” solutions to reopen the route.
Given Iran says it remains closed to “enemies of the nation” it’s not surprising that Keir Starmer said yesterday this would not be an easy task.
While the UK, France, Germany, Australia, and Gulf states are likely virtual attendees at the summit, crucially the US is not.
Overnight, Trump suggested the strait – a crucial shipping route – could open “automatically” when the conflict ends. Other nations are not so sure.
De-mining, for example, may be necessary. So, multi-national military planners are also meeting to discuss how the strait could be made safe after the fighting has stopped.
The priority is to ensure safe navigation for shipping and, in turn, bring oil prices down and push the supply of fertiliser for food production up.