US, UK Plan International Maritime Coalition Meeting in London

Kathmandu. The United States and the United Kingdom are planning to host a high-level meeting next week in London with the aim of forming an international maritime coalition to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report released by Axios.

Citing European diplomats and sources familiar with the matter, Axios reported that defense ministers and military leaders from Western and Middle Eastern nations, including US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, may attend the meeting. Efforts are underway to finalize the itinerary and dates as they are still being discussed.

A White House official confirmed the joint initiative, while the British Embassy in Washington declined to comment on the matter, Axios reported.

Citing sources, Axios reported that the United States aims to build a coalition by discussing with many countries the possibility of an international alliance for the Strait of Hormuz, which the UK and France have done in recent months.

Citing a European diplomat, Axios stated that this effort is linked to the US withdrawal strategy from conflict with Iran. Following US President Donald Trump's recent threat to escalate military action against Tehran, Washington has warned that it will target an Iranian bridge or power plant for every attack directed at commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

Indicating that Washington has no immediate desire to end the operation, he said the war's objective has not been met. The increase in skirmishes around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which began after a new naval blockade targeting commercial ships, has disrupted global oil transport.

Maritime tensions have sharply increased crude oil prices, increasing economic pressure worldwide, including in the White House, amid rising domestic fuel costs. Meanwhile, talks are ongoing for a ceasefire effort, and an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz waterway.

While the United States and Iran continue their attacks, the Omani delegation has also arrived in Iran to discuss options for managing shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz waterway.

Iran's state news agency IRNA said the delegation's visit is a continuation of ongoing consultations between Iran and Oman. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he had already held a phone conversation with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi.

IRNA reported that the discussion between the two leaders focused on recent regional developments, the security of maritime traffic, and commercial shipping transit in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.