European Leaders Offer Military Help to Secure Strait of Hormuz
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French President Emmanuel Macron, second from left, accompanied by German chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, second from right, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Elysee Palace for a conference on the initiative for maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, on April 17 in Paris. Photographer: Jeanne Accorsin/Sipa/Pool/Getty Images Photo by Jeanne Accorsin /Photographer: Jeanne Accorsin/SiArticle content(Bloomberg) — A European-led coalition offered military help to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz hours after Iran said it would open the critical waterway, even as US President Donald Trump warned NATO members to keep a distance. Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentFrench President Emmanuel Macron hosted the leaders of the UK, Germany and Italy in Paris and reinforced demands for an “immediate and unconditional” opening of Hormuz and “full respect” for maritime law. Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentMore than three dozen other delegates tuned in via video conference, including leaders of Australia, Canada and Indonesia — as well as lower-level representatives from countries including China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe French leader organized the meeting as the announcement of the opening was rapidly unfolding in the Middle East, with little detail over how or when a mission would come together or what the circumstances for such an effort would be. Article contentMacron called for “a neutral mission, clearly separate from the belligerents, to escort and protect merchant ships transiting the Gulf.” He spoke alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italy’s premier, Giorgia Meloni on Friday. Article contentIran said earlier it would open the strait for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, boosting the prospect of an end of the wider conflict. Hormuz is “completely open” for commercial shipping, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. Article contentTrump said the waterway is “open and ready for business,” though a US naval blockade would remain in place until a broader agreement is reached. Article contentArticle contentIn a separate post on Truth Social, the US president said that, after he received a “call from NATO,” he told the alliance to “STAY AWAY” unless they aimed to “LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS” with oil. Article content“They were useless when needed,” Trump said, posting as European leaders spoke in the French capital. It was unclear who in the 32-member alliance phoned Trump. Article contentFor their part, Macron, Merz and other leaders spoke despite differences between Germany and France over US participation. The German leader warned that the Iran war and the ensuing peace mission “must not become a transatlantic stress test,” repeating his demand the US participate in any mission. Article contentFrance insisted that only “non-belligerent” nations should join. Article contentGerman action, which would require a parliamentary mandate from Berlin, could consist of mine clearance and sea reconnaissance, Merz said. Article contentItaly’s prime minister said her country was prepared to “dispatch naval assets,” also pending parliamentary approval. Article content“It’s clear that an international naval presence in Hormuz can begin only when hostilities cease, in close coordination with regional and international partners, and in a strictly defensive posture,” Meloni said. Article content—With assistance from Ania Nussbaum.Article contentTrending Brace for gas price 'shock' in inflation numbers out Monday, say economists Economy Canadian quantum company Xanadu soars to $16 billion valuation after Nvidia release Innovation How much money should Gerry, in his 70s, have in equities, bonds and cash?
Personal Finance Posthaste: Why Canadians might be doomed to suffer a 'new normal' for oil prices News Jack Mintz: Best way to keep Canadians from leaving? Make Canada better FP Comment Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Brace for gas price 'shock' in inflation numbers out Monday, say economists Economy Canadian quantum company Xanadu soars to $16 billion valuation after Nvidia release Innovation How much money should Gerry, in his 70s, have in equities, bonds and cash?
Personal Finance Posthaste: Why Canadians might be doomed to suffer a 'new normal' for oil prices News Jack Mintz: Best way to keep Canadians from leaving? Make Canada better FP Comment