2026-04-17 18:29
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2026-04-17 18:29
Representatives of about 50 countries, including the leaders of France, Great Britain, Germany and Italy, talked on Friday in Paris about establishing a multilateral mission that would ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Poland was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski.
While the meeting, organized via videoconference, was still ongoing, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi announced on the X platform that as long as the truce with the US and Israel lasts, all commercial ships can pass through the strait. The opening of Hormuz was confirmed by US President Donald Trump.
After the meeting ends French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Iran's declaration, called for the complete, unconditional opening of the strait and assessed that Tehran's decision was a step in the right direction.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmerwho co-hosted the meeting with Macron, said that more than a dozen countries had expressed their readiness to contribute to a possible future multilateral defense mission in Hormuz. He announced that more details would be provided after a conference on this topic in London next week.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz he assured, in turn, that his country was ready to participate in the mission. He added that he would like the United States to also take part.
The head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni stated that the mission could be launched only after the end of hostilities and would only be of a defensive nature. She declared that Italy was ready to send its warships.
The meeting in Paris was attended by heads of state and government of about 30 countries (EU countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and Ukraine) and representatives of the foreign ministries of about 20 countries (including Saudi Arabia, China and India). Not all participants were personally present in Paris.
Poland was represented remotely by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski. Poland declares support for activities aimed at the permanent opening of Hormuz, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed in Warsaw. In a statement issued after the meeting, the ministry emphasized that the success of these plans depends on maintaining the ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Media in France, citing the Elysée Palace, reported that France was ready to send minehunters to participate in a possible mission. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin stressed on Thursday that her country, as well as Belgium and the Netherlands, have demining capabilities, but said it was not currently known whether the Strait of Hormuz was mined.
Given the so far unclear outlines of the future mission and the condition for its deployment being the end of the war, the “Le Monde” newspaper noted that the initiative may be important as a signal that US allies in NATO, criticized by Trump, are not passive.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key sea route for exporting raw materials from the Persian Gulf region. Under normal conditions, 20% of the water flows through this route. oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) consumed in the world.
On February 28, the United States and Israel attacked Iran, which responded by attacking the Persian Gulf countries. He also virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only selected vessels to pass through and blocking hundreds of others. Authorities in Tehran also announced that they would charge ships for passing through the strait.
There has been a ceasefire in the war since April 8, which expires on Wednesday, April 22. Trump has been suggesting for several days that he is close to reaching an agreement with Iran that would end the war. (PAP)
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