The UK will host a series of military talks with the participation of about 30 countries with the aim of forming a coalition to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Agence France-Presse reports, citing a British military representative.
Together with France, London will chair the meetings that will bring together the defense chiefs of the countries that supported the initiative. An expanded meeting at the military level is expected to be held this week, after the group of countries that expressed their readiness to participate has significantly grown.
Last week, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands announced that they were ready to contribute to "appropriate efforts" to ensure safe passage through the strategic sea corridor. Subsequently, 24 more countries have supported this position.
According to information from Agence France-Presse, the Chief of Defence of the British Armed Forces, Richard Knighton, has already chaired a preliminary meeting on Sunday with the participation of the initial six countries, as well as Canada.
The British representative noted that additional countries may be invited to the initiative, which suggests an expansion of the coalition in the face of increased tension in the region.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of serious disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz - a key route for global supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas, through which a significant part of the world's energy trade passes.