The Ministry of Defence, led by Defence Secretary John Healey MP, has convened a two-day multinational conference with over 30 nations to develop military plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following recent hostilities.
The conference is being held at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, North London, beginning on 22 April 2026. Military planners from across allied nations are attending to coordinate operational planning for restoring safe navigation through the Strait.
The discussions follow a summit in Paris involving 51 countries, where leaders agreed on the need for an immediate reopening of the Strait. The current talks focus on translating that agreement into a coordinated multinational military framework once ceasefire conditions are met.
Multinational conference convened in London
The UK-hosted conference brings together military planners from more than 30 nations to coordinate detailed operational steps for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The sessions are structured to support coordination across participating countries on deployment readiness and mission scope.
- Location: Permanent Joint Headquarters, Northwood, London
- Participants: Military planners from over 30 nations
- Duration: Two-day operational planning conference
- Objective: Develop coordinated plans to restore maritime navigation
UK and France lead coalition planning efforts
The UK and France are jointly leading the multinational effort, working to ensure broad participation and integration of capabilities from partner nations. Their role includes aligning strategic priorities and coordinating contributions to the planned defensive mission.
- Leadership: Joint UK and France coordination
- Coalition scope: Multinational participation across allied nations
- Mission type: Defensive maritime security operation
- Focus: Protection of shipping and coordination of naval assets
Transition from diplomatic agreement to military planning
The planning sessions build directly on agreements reached at the Paris summit, where leaders called for the reopening of the Strait. Military planners are now converting those diplomatic commitments into structured operational plans for implementation.
Diplomatic to Operational Transition
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| International agreement | Established | Leaders from 51 nations agreed on reopening the Strait at the Paris summit |
| Military planning | Underway | Conference in London progressing detailed operational coordination |
| Mission framework | Defined | Defensive multinational approach confirmed by UK and France |
Strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical international shipping route through which around one fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Its disruption has affected global energy markets, supply chains, and costs for households and businesses.
Global Impact Indicators
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Oil transit | Disrupted | Approximately 20% of global oil supply passes through the Strait |
| Energy prices | Increased | Closure has contributed to rising global energy costs |
| Supply chains | Affected | Shipping delays impacting international trade flows |
Scope of military planning discussions
The conference includes detailed discussions on mine clearance operations, protection of merchant vessels, and command and control structures. Planners are also considering deployment logistics and coordination between multinational forces.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
John Healey, UK Defence Secretary said;
“Today’s multinational planning conference matters. The task, today and tomorrow, is to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire.”
“International trade, energy security and the stability of the global economy depend on freedom of navigation. By building on our common purpose, strengthening multinational coordination and planning for effective collective action, we can help reopen the Strait, stabilise the global economy and protect our people.”
The UK-led conference represents a coordinated step toward implementing international agreements to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. By aligning military planning with diplomatic commitments, participating nations are preparing for a potential reopening once conditions allow. The discussions are linked to global trade stability, energy supply continuity, and broader economic resilience.
Sources: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
