LONDON/PARIS, April 2 (Reuters) – Around 40 countries discussed joint action on Thursday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and prevent Iran from holding “the global economy hostage”, Britain said, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the waterway’s security was for others to resolve.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Iran’s “recklessness” in blocking the waterway was “hitting home to families and businesses in every corner of the world” as she chaired the virtual meeting, which included France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and India.
“We saw Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” Cooper said in opening remarks broadcast to the media before the rest of the meeting took place behind closed doors.
The discussions came after Trump said on Wednesday night that the Strait could open “naturally” and that it was the responsibility of countries that depend on the waterway to ensure it was open.
European officials said Thursday’s initial meeting focused on which countries were prepared to join the proposed coalition and the diplomatic and economic options available to persuade Iran to open the Strait.
Although the meeting ended without any specific agreement, there was a consensus that Iran should not introduce transit fees on ships using the waterway and that all nations should be able to use it freely, one of the officials said.
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The next stage of the talks will be when military planners meet next week to discuss options, including possible mine clearance work and providing a security force for commercial shipping.
Focus on diplomatic and military options
Iran has effectively closed the main waterway, which carries about a fifth of the world’s total oil consumption, in retaliation for Israeli and American attacks that began in late February. Its reopening has become a priority for governments around the world as energy prices rise.
Initially, European countries refused Trump’s demand to send their navies to the area due to fears of being drawn into the conflict.
But concerns about the impact of rising energy costs on the global economy led them to try to form a coalition to see how they could advance their own interests.
European diplomats said coalition formation was at an early stage, with Britain and France in the lead. The US was not involved.
French Armed Forces spokesman Guillaume Vernet said at a press conference on Thursday that the process would have several phases and could not take place until hostilities had ended.
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One focus of the talks would be how to ensure that shipowners can feel confident enough to have vessels return to traveling through the area and to reduce insurance premiums.
Eventually, coordination with Iran would also be needed to ensure there are security guarantees for the ships, Vernet said, something that is unlikely for now.
Talks have also begun about military resources that could be provided, he said.
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“We will need to bring together a sufficient number of vessels and have coordination capabilities in the air and at sea, as well as the ability to share intelligence,” he said.
Trump said Wednesday night that other countries using the Strait of Hormuz should “get some belated courage” and “just take it.”
“Just take it, protect it and use it for yourselves,” he said.
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But French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking in South Korea on Thursday, said seizing the Strait militarily was an “unrealistic” option.
“It would take an indefinite amount of time and expose all those who venture through this strait to coastal hazards from the Revolutionary Guard as well as ballistic missiles,” he said.
