European nations are drafting an independent plan to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains paralyzed due to Iranian actions. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the initiative’s defining feature is its lack of reliance on the United States. The plan proposes a broad international coalition focused on demining the waters and establishing long-term security for commercial transit.
The mission is designed to be executed in three distinct phases, beginning only after the cessation of active hostilities in the region:
- Extraction: Safely leading out merchant vessels that have been trapped in the waterway since the crisis began.
- Demining: A large-scale operation to clear sea mines and restore a safe navigable channel.
- Escort: Organizing continuous military protection for tankers and cargo ships to deter future attacks.
The coalition, spearheaded by France and the United Kingdom, is expected to be bolstered by Germany, providing crucial financial resources and specialized naval capabilities. In the coming days, Paris and London intend to host an online summit with dozens of nations to finalize the mission’s logistics and operational parameters.