The United Kingdom and France are spearheading a fresh multinational effort to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, as military planners from more than 30 countries gather for a two-day strategy conference hosted in the UK.

The meeting comes amid fragile diplomatic conditions following the extension of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite the extension, the U.S. naval blockade positioned outside the vital shipping lane remains in place, a move Tehran has criticised as inconsistent with the spirit of the truce.

Hopes for a swift return to negotiations have dimmed after the planned trip of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan – host of previous talks was postponed. As of Wednesday morning, there were no clear signals that discussions would resume in the immediate term.

British officials say the conference builds on earlier coordination sessions and is designed to turn diplomatic alignment into operational readiness. The goal is to ensure ships can once again move safely through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors once conditions allow.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the focus of the gathering is to translate political consensus into actionable military planning that protects freedom of navigation while supporting a durable ceasefire.

The United Kingdom and France are leading the coordination, arguing that global trade flows, energy supply stability, and wider economic confidence depend heavily on restoring secure passage through the strait.

The United States blockade, described by Iran as a “siege,” continues to shape the tense backdrop to the talks. For now, military planners are preparing for a scenario in which maritime traffic can resume quickly if political conditions improve.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key transit route for a significant share of the world’s oil shipments, and any prolonged disruption has immediate implications for energy markets and global economic stability.