France and the United Kingdom will co-host a virtual summit on Friday to discuss securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, bringing together countries willing to contribute to what has been described as a “purely defensive mission.”

According to the French presidency, the talks will focus on plans to restore freedom of navigation in the strait once security conditions improve.

The British government added that the summit aims to develop a coordinated, independent, multinational strategy to safeguard international shipping after the ongoing conflict subsides.

Tensions in the region escalated following US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year, which triggered a wider conflict and severely disrupted maritime traffic through the strait.

Although a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran was reached, recent peace talks failed, prompting renewed instability.

The situation further intensified after Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, raising global concerns over energy supply and international trade routes.