A multinational armada of warships is expected to arrive in the Strait of Hormuz within days to protect commercial shipping from Iranian threats, reports suggest.
Western defence officials say the naval force will be led by the UK and France, working closely with Oman, to secure the vital waterway, the UAE daily The National highlighted.
The launch of a mission within Omani waters was confirmed after a joint statement issued by France and the UK. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron said restoring safe transit was ‘a matter of global concern’.
“The Sultanate of Oman has agreed to work with the United Kingdom and France to ensure that its sovereign territorial waters are safe for navigation,” the joint statement said. “The UK and France also stand ready to deploy the wider multinational military mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The launch has yet to be discussed in detail with the political contact group within the coalition that comprises 30 nations.
With a large number of Nato warships already stationed in the Arabian Sea, it is understood the latest fleet would be able to deploy rapidly for the operation.
A key task will be clearing the estimated 80 mines laid by the Iranians across the 34km-wide Strait that has been under various levels of blockade since the US-led war began in February.
The move comes as European Nato members are expected to seek to appease US President Donald Trump at the leaders’ summit in Ankara, Türkiye, that begins later today.
The naval operation will include heavy Nato participation, with up to 19 members contributing either to deployment or funds.
“There was an American perception regarding the war being waged in Iran and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz – a situation the Europeans had not chosen, of course – but which the Americans viewed as a lack of solidarity on the part of the Europeans,” an adviser to the French President said.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is to be discussed at a meeting tomorrow night by members of the Istanbul Co-operative Initiative featuring Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.
Western officials have told The National that a task force will soon be assembled. “We expect the announcement within days to get the Strait fully open and get the ships moving,” the source said. “Once it’s announced, things will move quite quickly.
“The primary task is to assure mariners and shipping companies that the Strait of Hormuz is clear of mines and we are assisting to reopen it.”
Since the mid-June ceasefire, traffic through the waterway has gradually resumed but the recovery has been uneven because of mines, security concerns and insurance issues. More than 100 tankers are understood to be awaiting escort through the Strait, as well as hundreds of other vessels.
The operation will include warships and minehunters from Nato members such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway. “There’s a whole host of nations that are going to contribute to this,” the source said.
Starmer’s office said the operation would include ‘supporting demining in co-ordination with the Omanis and Iranians as appropriate if assistance is required and when conditions allow’.
Britain’s main asset will be Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Lyme Bay that will be used for the first time as a ‘mine-hunting mother ship, with an array of drones that can seek and destroy the weapons. They will be joined by mine-clearance divers and Merlin helicopters equipped for warfare and surveillance.
The air-defence destroyer HMS Dragon will provide strong surface support alongside French frigates, destroyers and minehunters.
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