The United Kingdom and France gathered more than 50 countries in Paris on Friday for a discussion focused on joint efforts to secure free trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-chaired the panel. The discussion included representatives from 51 countries, with around 30 to 40 countries joining virtually, according to Al Jazeera.

Following the meeting, France and the U.K. announced they were launching a “strictly defensive multinational mission” to protect ships traveling through the critical trading passage.

“The international mission will be strictly defensive, and will operate in full accordance with international law and in consultation with relevant states,” the countries said in a joint statement.

“We are grateful to those nations that have indicated their readiness to contribute, whether through military assets, logistical support, financial contributions or political solidarity, and call on all countries with an interest in the free flow of global trade to express their support for this initiative,” they continued.

The strait has been a major flash point in the Iran war since the U.S. and Israel launched military operations on the country at the end of February. Iranian counterstrikes on U.S. targets in the Gulf states have effectively closed the major oil trading corridor, sending energy rates skyrocketing.

Tehran announced Friday morning it would reopen the strait. President Trump celebrated the news on social media on Friday but said the U.S.’s naval blockade on the waterway remains intact.

The U.K. and France hailed the decision in the joint statement on Friday.

“The right of transit passage without restrictions or tolls is the bedrock of international trade,” officials from the two countries wrote. “Freedom of navigation means navigation must be free. We therefore welcome the announcement today that the Strait will re-open and underline that this must endure.

“The disruption to global energy security, supply chains, and economic and financial stability must end, for the benefit of communities right across the world, in particular for the poorest and most vulnerable,” the statement continued. “We committed to coordinating our economic responses and to avoid protectionist actions.”

The U.K. and France will continue to lead this global initiative, and British officials will host the next meeting with international leaders, according to the Friday press release.

“Today’s UK-France led meeting of over 50 countries sends a message to Iran that it is isolated and needs to make a deal,” British Ambassador to the U.S. Christian Turner said in a statement. “Following US leadership to reopen the Strait, our new multinational mission will take action to ensure Freedom of Navigation, reassure shipping, and help lower energy prices.”

Updated at 4:04 p.m. EDT

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