G7 leaders endorsed a France-UK-led coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz following a US-Iran peace deal. The initiative aims to protect merchant vessels, clear mines, and restore confidence for commercial shipping in the vital waterway.
A new chapter in global maritime stability began on Wednesday as G7 leaders officially endorsed a multinational defensive coalition led by France and the United Kingdom, tasked with safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz following a peace deal between the United States and Iran. In a formal declaration issued during the G7 Summit, leaders reaffirmed that "the right of unimpeded and duty-free transit passage is the cornerstone of international trade." The Strait of Hormuz, which facilitates a massive portion of the world's daily oil shipments, has been the epicentre of geopolitical volatility in West Asia. To ensure the waterway remains open and secure, the G7 has thrown its weight behind the France-UK-led initiative.
G7 Backs Maritime Security Initiative
The France-UK-led coalition aims to prioritise the protection of merchant vessels, the restoration of confidence among commercial shipping operators and insurers, and the systematic verification and removal of mines to ensure the waterway is cleared for full traffic. "We reaffirm that the right of unimpeded and duty-free transit passage is the cornerstone of international trade. We agreed that the multinational and independent defense initiative led by France and the United Kingdom can play an important role in facilitating the resumption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz by protecting merchant ships, reassuring commercial shipping operators, and supporting verification of the removal of all mines," the declaration stated.
Trump Confirms US-Iran Deal, Strait Reopening
This comes after US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the Strait of Hormuz had "already partially opened" and would be "completely opened" by Friday as part of the agreement reached with Iran following the recent hostilities in the region. Speaking during a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at Évian-les-Bains, Trump expressed optimism over the implementation of the deal and the restoration of maritime movement through the strategically significant waterway.
"I am very happy to say the deal's all signed and the strait is already partially opened. They are doing a little hunt for a couple of mines they've already found. But essentially, ships are starting to go out now. On Friday, it will be completely open. We got along very well with Iran," Trump said.
Details from Truth Social Posts
Earlier, Trump said that ships, including several carrying oil, had started moving out of the Strait of Hormuz following his announcement of the completion of the Iran-US peace deal aimed at ending the hostilities in the region. In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that maritime traffic through the strategically important waterway had resumed and described the designated shipping route as secure. "Ships are starting to move, many loaded up with Oil, out of the Strait of Hormuz. They are going along the Southern 'Highway', which is totally safe, secure, and pristine. There are other areas of travel, also," Trump wrote in his post.
This comes after Trump on Sunday announced that the deal with Iran was "complete" while also ending the US Naval blockade on the strategically critical waterway. "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" Trump stated in a separate post on Truth Social.
However, Trump, in a separate post, stated that the strategic waterway would again be open after the signing of the agreement on Friday in Geneva, noting that the "Great Deal" was aimed at bringing "Peace and Security" to the whole region. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)