U.S. Allies Prepare Diplomatic Pressure on Iran Over Strait of Hormuz

A coalition of U.S. allies is preparing a diplomatic offensive to persuade Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, weighing possible sanctions against Tehran if the vital waterway remains closed, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. If this were not successful, the coalition would consider economic measures targeting Iran's oil and shipping industries, they added. The group could subsequently set the conditions for possible military options, if necessary. The U.S. is not expected to attend. As the conflict enters its second month, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which in peacetime handles about a quarter of the world's seaborne oil trade, has become a priority for governments worldwide as energy prices surge and the threat of looms shortages. The coalition is meeting after U.S. President Donald Trump sowed confusion about his intentions regarding the war in Iran, oscillating between threatening to end it without a resolution in Hormuz and suggesting any ceasefire would first require Tehran to unblock the vital maritime route for global energy supplies. What will U.S. allies discuss to reopen the Strait of Hormuz? According to sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity to discuss information not yet public, the countries convened by Britain will address three areas: diplomatic, economic, and military. For now, the focus will be on the diplomatic track, coordinating the efforts of nations with communication channels to Tehran, the sources said. A coalition of U.S. allies is preparing a diplomatic offensive to persuade Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and weighing possible sanctions against Tehran if the maritime route remains closed. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will chair a virtual meeting on Thursday with her counterparts from about 35 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, to debate a plan to restore freedom of navigation in the strait. Furthermore, many members of the allied group have so far refused to support the U.S.-Israeli operation. Starmer has ruled out joining the war, and while French President Emmanuel Macron declared, during a visit to Tokyo, that European, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries “can contribute to ensuring the transit through the Strait of Hormuz goes smoothly,” he insisted that “this is not a military option at all.” However, the United Arab Emirates have been pressing to reopen the strait by force, the Wall Street Journal reported. “We will evaluate all viable diplomatic and political measures we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of ships and sailors trapped there, and resume the transport of essential basic goods,” Starmer said at a press conference in London. “We will also convene our military planners to analyze how we can mobilize our capabilities and make the Strait of Hormuz accessible and safe once the fighting ceases.” They warned that these conversations were in an initial phase and would not be the central topic of Thursday's meeting. Any military path would likely only involve some of the coalition's countries, and for many members it could focus on helping to patrol the river and demine the waterway once the fighting stops. What do we know about possible military operations in Iran? It is unclear to what extent Iran would take seriously the economic and military options proposed by the coalition, given that the country is already under heavy sanctions.