Starmer and Macron to Co-host Strait of Hormuz Security Summit in Paris
International leaders will convene in Paris this Friday for a critical summit aimed at developing a coordinated plan to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping following the conclusion of the Middle East conflict. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will jointly host the high-level gathering.
Multinational Mission for Shipping Assurance
A Downing Street spokesman confirmed that the summit will advance work towards a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping once hostilities cease. Sir Keir informed MPs on Monday that the UK-French initiative would encompass both military planning to provide assurance to shipping and extensive diplomatic efforts.
President Macron has previously emphasized that participating countries would work on a strictly defensive mission, separate from the warring parties to the conflict, which is intended to be deployed as soon as circumstances permit. He stated the summit would bring together nations prepared to contribute to this peaceful multinational mission.
New Cabinet Committee Established
In Westminster, the government has established a new Cabinet committee specifically to address the fallout from the Iran conflict. The Middle East Response Committee held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, focusing particularly on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz - the vital shipping route for global oil and gas supplies.
The Prime Minister created this committee to manage both domestic and international impacts of the war, which has:
- Driven up energy prices significantly
- Caused substantial stock market turmoil
- Exposed deep divisions between the United States and its traditional European allies
Number 10 insiders have compared the new panel to committees established under previous Conservative prime ministers to handle Brexit preparations and the Covid-19 pandemic. A government source indicated this new central structure would focus on medium-term scenario planning to respond to developments in the region over coming weeks and months.
Dual Committee Structure
Alongside the ministerial committee, whose full membership remains undisclosed, senior officials will meet under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo. This dual structure represents an acknowledgment that the situation will continue affecting the UK for some time, though emergency Cobra committee meetings will still address immediate crises.
The committee's initial focus on the Strait of Hormuz follows former US President Donald Trump's announcement of a blockade against Iranian ports, coinciding with UK and French preparations for their security summit.
Market Reactions and Economic Concerns
Oil prices retreated below 100 US dollars per barrel during Tuesday morning trading amid hopes that US-Iran negotiations might revive and that an agreement could be reached regarding the crucial shipping route. Brent crude edged 1% lower to 98.3 dollars per barrel after jumping higher on Monday.
Stock markets showed modest gains:
- The FTSE 100 Index in London advanced 0.2% to 10598.1
- Germany's Dax and France's Cac 40 both rose approximately 1%
- These gains followed solid overnight performances in US and Asian markets
Chancellor Criticizes US Actions
Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that families and businesses across Britain are bearing the cost of instability caused by Mr Trump's actions in the Middle East. She told the Mirror: "This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve."
Ms Reeves made these remarks ahead of the International Monetary Fund's spring meetings in Washington DC, where she plans to urge coordinated action to address the global economic shock caused by the conflict. The IMF is scheduled to publish its world economic outlook later, with growth and inflation forecasts worldwide likely affected by the ongoing hostilities.
Trump Defends Gulf Actions
Former US President Donald Trump defended his actions in the Gulf region, asserting: "We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world because that's what they're doing." Iran has selectively closed off the strait since the US-Israeli bombing campaign commenced. While some tankers have managed to pass through, they have done so only with Iranian permission. Mr Trump's blockade aims to deprive Iran of revenue from these vessels.
