Britain organized a major meeting to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important sea route. Representatives from about 40 countries participated in this virtual meeting. Britain says that Iran is holding the entire world economy hostage by closing Hormuz.
This narrow passage is the main way out of the Persian Gulf. About 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through this route. If it remains closed, oil prices skyrocket, food and drinks become expensive and the economy of every country is adversely affected.
On February 28, 2026, America and Israel attacked Iran. After that Iran closed Hormuz. Iran said ships could not pass without its permission and also imposed conditions on some ships. The result was that there has been a huge 94 percent reduction in ships passing through this route since March. Many merchant ships have also been victims of attacks.
Britain’s Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper presided over this meeting. Countries like France, Germany, Canada, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India were involved in the meeting. America did not come to this meeting. Yvette Cooper said, “Iran has hijacked international sea lanes and is holding the entire world economy hostage. This recklessness has caused oil and food prices to skyrocket, hurting people and businesses in every country.”
The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said that Iran has stopped oil tankers and merchant ships. He appealed to the United Nations Security Council to take necessary steps to protect the sea lanes.
In the first phase, there was talk of increasing diplomatic and economic pressure. There will be a meeting of military experts next week, in which issues like clearing mines and providing security to merchant ships will be discussed. All countries agree that Iran cannot collect toll tax or fees from any ship. The road should be open and safe for everyone.
French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be very difficult and risky to open Hormuz by force, because Iran has coastal threats and missiles.
India also participated in this meeting. Foreign Secretary level officials participated from the Indian side. Many countries like India depend on this path for energy security, so this issue is very important for us also.
At present no major decision was taken in this meeting, but the message became clear that countries around the world want to put pressure on Iran together. Britain and France are the leaders of this effort.