Plan to Restore Shipping Through the Strait of Hormuz: 15 Countries Led by France
Around 15 countries are set to intensify their efforts to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran since the onset of the war. This announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council.
Approximately 15 countries are planning to ramp up their efforts to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran since the beginning of the war. French President Emmanuel Macron made this announcement during a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, as reported by Reuters.
According to Macron, France will take the lead in a defense mission aimed at restoring navigation in this crucial waterway. "About 15 countries are currently mobilized and participating in planning under France's leadership to ensure the implementation of this purely defensive mission in coordination with Iran to facilitate the resumption of shipping," the president stated.
This initiative comes in the wake of a recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who on the night of April 8 stated that he had agreed to suspend bombings of Iran for two weeks if the country immediately opened the Strait of Hormuz. Trump emphasized that the United States had already "achieved and exceeded all military objectives" and had "made significant progress" toward reaching a final peace agreement.
Following this, Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed the agreement for a two-week ceasefire with the United States. It is important to note that Israel also agreed to suspend bombings during the negotiations, indicating a potential easing of tensions in the region.
In the context of these developments, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the invitation of delegations from Iran and the United States to meet in Islamabad for further negotiations. This could represent a significant step toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict that has persisted for several years.
However, despite these positive shifts, Trump recently issued a series of threats against Iran, stating that the U.S. could "destroy Iran in one night" and could bomb all of the country's bridges and power plants within hours. He also warned that if his demands were not met, "entire civilizations would perish." This ultimatum, announced by Trump, was set to expire at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (03:00 April 8 in Kyiv), adding further tension to the region.
Thus, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains complex and unpredictable. On one hand, there is hope for the restoration of shipping and a reduction in tensions due to international efforts; on the other hand, there is the threat of renewed military actions and escalation of conflict. It is crucial for all parties to adhere to peace agreements and seek pathways to stability in the region.