NATO Ministers and Gulf Arab Leaders Discuss Franco‑British Mission to Secure Strait of Hormuz

NATO foreign ministers met Gulf Arab counterparts on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara to address the stalemate over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The talks focused on a Franco‑British proposal for a multinational maritime mission aimed at ensuring safe passage for commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, routes that carry about one‑fifth of the world’s oil supply.

The meeting brought together ministers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with support expressed by the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and the United States. Iran has dismissed the plan and continued to target vessels in the region. Oman agreed to cooperate with the UK and France to protect its territorial waters. The proposal seeks a coalition of roughly a dozen countries to operate minehunters, warships and support vessels, though any long‑term arrangement will require Iran’s acquiescence.