Joint Declaration on Strait of Hormuz Security by President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer – 17 April 2026

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Key Takeaways

  • France and the United Kingdom convened 51 nations for an international summit focused on the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the collective commitment to freedom of navigation and adherence to international law.
  • Participants urged an unconditional, immediate reopening of the Strait, emphasizing that unrestricted transit passage is essential for global trade, energy stability, and the welfare of vulnerable communities.
  • The summit affirmed strong support for a comprehensive diplomatic settlement to the underlying conflict, stating that diplomacy must prevail over confrontation.
  • Delegates pledged to marshal diplomatic, economic, and military tools to safeguard navigation, including coordination of economic responses to avoid protectionist measures.
  • The International Maritime Organisation’s role in ensuring seafarer and vessel safety was endorsed, with plans to work closely with shipping operators, insurers, and industry bodies to resume normal operations swiftly.
  • France and the UK announced the creation of an independent, strictly defensive multinational mission to protect merchant vessels, reassure commercial operators, and conduct mine‑clearance after a sustainable ceasefire.
  • The mission will operate in full compliance with international law, in consultation with concerned states, and will rely on contributions—military, logistical, financial, or political—from interested nations; the UK will host the next leaders’ meeting in this format.

Diplomatic Consensus and Call for a Negotiated Settlement
The summit convened by France and the United Kingdom brought together fifty‑one countries to reaffirm a shared vision for the Strait of Hormuz. Throughout the discussions, delegates repeatedly emphasized that the only viable path forward is a comprehensive diplomatic settlement achieved through negotiations. The joint statement made clear that diplomacy must prevail, rejecting any escalation that could jeopardize regional stability or global trade routes. By framing the issue as a matter of international law and collective security, the participants sought to create a diplomatic framework that would allow all stakeholders to address underlying grievances while preserving the free flow of commerce.


Immediate and Unconditional Reopening of the Strait
A central demand of the summit was the unconditional, unrestricted, and immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Delegates underscored that the right of transit passage without restrictions or tolls constitutes the bedrock of international trade. They welcomed the announcement that the Strait would reopen and stressed that this reopening must be enduring, not a temporary reprieve. The speakers linked the Strait’s functionality directly to global energy security, the integrity of supply chains, and broader economic and financial stability, noting that any prolonged disruption disproportionately harms the poorest and most vulnerable populations worldwide.


Coordinated Economic Responses to Avoid Protectionism
Recognizing that economic measures can either support or undermine freedom of navigation, the summit participants committed to coordinating their economic policies to counteract any protectionist tendencies that might arise in response to Hormuz‑related disruptions. By aligning sanctions, incentives, and trade‑facilitation measures, the coalition aims to prevent a fragmented response that could exacerbate market volatility. This coordinated approach is intended to reassure markets, maintain confidence in global supply networks, and ensure that economic tools serve the overarching goal of keeping the Strait open and accessible to all nations.


Support for the International Maritime Organisation’s Safety Mandate
The summit explicitly affirmed support for the vital work of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in safeguarding seafarers and vessels. Delegates pledged to continue collaborating with the shipping industry to enable a swift resumption of operations once conditions permit. This collaboration will involve direct engagement with shipping operators, insurers, and industry bodies to address safety concerns, share best practices, and facilitate the rapid clearance of any impediments to navigation. By backing the IMO’s mandate, the coalition seeks to uphold the highest standards of maritime safety and operational continuity in one of the world’s most critical chokepoints.


Establishment of a Strictly Defensive Multinational Mission
In a concrete operational step, France and the United Kingdom announced the creation of an independent, strictly defensive multinational mission designed to protect merchant vessels, reassure commercial shipping operators, and conduct mine‑clearance operations as soon as conditions allow following a sustainable ceasefire agreement. The mission’s defensive character was emphasized repeatedly, with assurances that it will operate solely to safeguard navigation and will not engage in offensive actions. Its activities will be guided by international law and carried out in consultation with relevant coastal and flag states, ensuring legitimacy and transparency.


International Contributions and Consultative Framework
The summit expressed gratitude to the nations that have already signaled readiness to contribute to the mission—whether through providing military assets, logistical support, financial contributions, or political solidarity. Participants called on all countries with a stake in the free flow of global trade to declare their support for this initiative. The consultative framework envisaged includes regular dialogue with contributing states to align rules of engagement, share intelligence, and adjust the mission’s scope as the security environment evolves. This inclusive approach aims to build broad legitimacy and operational effectiveness.


Joint Leadership by the UK and France and Future Meetings
France and the United Kingdom will jointly steer the initiative, assuming responsibility for coordinating military planning among contributing nations and ensuring coherence between diplomatic, economic, and military strands of the effort. As part of this leadership role, the United Kingdom has agreed to host the next Leaders’ meeting in this format, providing a venue for continued high‑level dialogue, progress review, and the articulation of any necessary adjustments to the mission’s mandate or resources. This bilateral stewardship underscores the commitment of the two European powers to maintain momentum and to act as a reliable anchor for the broader international coalition.


Conclusion: A Multifaceted Commitment to Hormuz Stability
The summit’s outcomes reflect a comprehensive, multilayered strategy that blends diplomatic persuasion, economic coordination, maritime safety advocacy, and a defensive security presence. By insisting on an immediate and lasting reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, championing negotiations as the exclusive path to resolving underlying disputes, and establishing a clearly defined multinational protective force, the participating nations aim to safeguard one of the world’s most vital maritime arteries. The emphasis on adherence to international law, consultation with affected states, and the avoidance of protectionist measures signals a collective resolve to preserve not only the flow of oil and gas but also the broader principles of free trade and global economic stability. As the United Kingdom prepares to host the follow‑up leaders’ meeting, the international community appears poised to translate these commitments into sustained action on the ground.

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