France sounds out 35 nations for post-war Hormuz mission

France has quietly begun rallying international support for a future naval mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran subsides.

Around 35 countries joined a mass video conference with France’s military leadership on Thursday to discuss how shipping through the critical oil corridor could be restored. The talks underline growing fears that even after the war ends, Iran may continue to threaten one of the world’s most vital trade routes.

Behind-the-scenes diplomacy as oil artery stalls

The discussions were led by France’s armed forces chief, Fabien Mandon, who convened military representatives from across multiple continents.

According to the French defence ministry, the conversations were preliminary but aimed at gathering proposals for a possible international operation. The initiative, officials stressed, would be “strictly defensive” and separate from the current conflict.

Its core goal: ensure commercial shipping can safely resume through the narrow strait that normally carries roughly 20% of global oil supplies.

Naval chiefs align on freedom of navigation

In parallel talks, Nicolas Vaujour, chief of staff of the French navy, held discussions with a dozen naval commanders from key maritime powers.

Those included officers from the UK, Germany, Italy, India and Japan. The focus was safeguarding freedom of navigation in waters increasingly threatened by missile strikes, drone attacks and possible sea mines.

“Maritime security is vital for the global economy,” Vaujour said, describing the sea as a “critical artery” for trade and stability.

Paris and London quietly sketch a recovery plan

France and Britain are emerging as the main architects of a potential mission to stabilise the waterway after hostilities ease.

Emmanuel Macron has suggested any operation should operate under a United Nations framework and only begin once the fighting subsides and shipping insurers are consulted.

France has already positioned significant forces nearby, including an aircraft carrier group and multiple warships across the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.

Mines, escorts and a long road to normal shipping

Defence officials say the operation would likely begin with a large-scale mine-hunting effort — a technically demanding task that even the United States cannot manage alone.

Only after waterways are cleared would naval escorts begin guiding tankers through the strait.

For now, commercial traffic remains drastically reduced — a warning of how fragile the world’s most important oil route has become.

France says it approached 35 countries over future Hormuz mission