British flag Big Ben London AFP.
London: The British Ministry of Defense announced that it will host a conference with representatives from 30 countries, which will continue over Wednesday and Thursday, to discuss the formation of an international mission to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The ministry said in a statement that the conference would allow for further detailed planning to reopen the strait as soon as conditions permit, following progress made during talks in Paris last week.
British Defense Secretary John Healey said the goal was to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait and support a permanent ceasefire.
He added that tangible progress can be made.
Talks that brought together representatives from more than 40 countries in Paris last Friday saw France and Britain lead a multinational mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait, as soon as conditions permit.
