US and UK plan London summit to secure Strait of Hormuz

The United States and the United Kingdom are preparing a high‑level meeting in London next week to discuss forming an international coalition that would protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine are expected to attend, along with defence ministers and senior military commanders from Western allies and regional partners.

The effort follows the recent resumption of hostilities between Washington and Tehran. After the United States resumed air strikes on Iranian military targets, Iran has launched rockets and drones at U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, while four American servicemen have been killed. President Donald Trump has threatened a "massive attack" on Iranian infrastructure if attacks on shipping increase. The United States is asking allies to contribute mine‑clearance vessels, warships and drones to secure the waterway, which carries roughly one‑fifth of global oil supplies. Reopening the strait is seen as crucial to any U.S. exit strategy from the conflict and to stabilising world energy markets.