Over 40 countries have launched a multinational coalition aimed at securing free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane, once the intense phase of the ongoing war between the United States, Israel, and Iran concludes. This broad international group, reflecting the worldwide economic repercussions of the waterway's near-total closure, convened virtually, hosted by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The meeting took place amidst escalating pressure from US President Donald Trump on European allies to aid in reopening the vital strait, where numerous ships currently remain stranded.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that Iran had effectively "hijacked an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage," warning of severe disruptions to supplies of gas, jet fuels, and fertilizers, alongside a general increase in the cost of living. She outlined the coalition's commitment to the "collective mobilization of our full range of diplomatic and economic tools" to facilitate a "safe and sustained opening" of Hormuz, which is presently under Tehran's direct control and subject to a toll system. These tools could include fresh economic sanctions on the Iranian regime. Additionally, military planners are set to explore defense capabilities, such as demining and escorting, specifically "once the conflict eases."

Furthering humanitarian concerns, representatives from Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint appeal for a "humanitarian corridor" to safeguard fertilizer shipments and avert a looming food crisis. The European Union, represented by High Representative Kaja Kallas, affirmed its support for diplomatic efforts to restore safe, toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait, consistent with the Law of the Sea, calling it an "urgent priority." Concurrently, Bahrain is preparing to introduce a United Nations Security Council resolution to protect commercial shipping across the waterway. A revised text of this resolution, according to reports, might authorize states to use "all necessary means commensurate with the circumstances" to enable safe transit, potentially paving the way for intervention during the conflict's hot phase.

The Strait of Hormuz is geographically complex, characterized by shallow waters and elevated terrain, which favor Iran's warfare tactics, including the use of missiles and drones. This makes transit inherently risky, posing challenges that neither vessel owners nor insurers are willing to tolerate. Under normal conditions, this critical chokepoint carries approximately one-fifth of the world's oil, gas, and jet fuel supplies, underscoring its immense strategic and economic significance.

President Donald Trump has been a vocal proponent of ensuring safe navigation through Hormuz, arguing that this high-risk operation should be undertaken by countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil and gas, rather than solely by the US. He has harshly criticized NATO allies for their reluctance to deploy warships into the active conflict zone, despite Europe receiving only a limited portion of its energy imports from the region. Nevertheless, European markets have been significantly impacted by ripple effects, with oil and gas prices soaring. In a recent address, Trump urged nations to "build up some delayed courage" to restore free navigation, advising them to "go to the strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves," asserting that Iran had been "decimated," making the task "easy." Notably, the US did not participate in Thursday's virtual coalition meeting, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously signed a G7 statement emphasizing the "absolute necessity to permanently restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz" without concrete commitments.

Trump's recent primetime nationwide address regarding the war with Iran sparked widespread bewilderment, particularly due to his vow to continue bombing to "bring them back to the stone ages." Contrary to speculation that he might signal a winding down of the US military effort, which began on February 28, Trump vaguely stated that "we are on track to complete all of America ’s military objectives shortly." He denied that his aim was regime change, despite earlier demands for "unconditional surrender," even claiming that a new, less radical leadership had emerged in Iran following the death of its original leaders, a claim contradicted by the succession of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's hardline son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The speech drew immediate and sharp criticism from various commentators. Chris Hayes of MS Now labeled it a "litany of lies," highlighting Trump's unverified claim of 45,000 Iranian casualties. Robert Malley, a former nuclear deal negotiator, condemned Trump's "cavalierly threatening war crimes" and the "unlawful & unjustified war." Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, described the address as "19 minutes of a rambling, unmoored and unserious commander in chief." Joseph Cirincione, an arms control negotiator, accused Trump of lying about the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), asserting it prevented an Iranian nuclear weapon and war, contrary to Trump's claims.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a sharp critique of Donald Trump's inconsistent and often contradictory statements on both the Iran war and NATO, advocating for seriousness and stability. Macron stressed the need for "calm, a return to peace – this isn ’t a show!" and suggested that a serious leader should not "go around saying the opposite every day of what you just said the day before."

Macron mounted a strong defense of NATO, asserting that the alliance is defined by "the trust that underpins them," and that daily doubts from a leader erode its very substance. He highlighted Trump's mixed messages – from claiming the war was won to expecting allies to join, or demanding they act alone to secure the Strait – alongside explicit threats to withdraw from NATO, labeling its members "cowards." Despite these threats, Congress passed legislation in 2023 to prevent a presidential withdrawal from NATO without its approval, underscoring domestic resistance to such a move.

The war's deep unpopularity in Europe, compounded by a surge in energy prices and rising inflation due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has intensified political pressure on EU leaders. While Trump suggested ending the war without a deal and urged countries to "just grab" the fuel shipments, European states maintain they will only assist in securing the Strait if a ceasefire is in place. France, in particular, views a military operation to free the Strait as "unrealistic," emphasizing a multi-phased diplomatic approach that can only commence once hostilities have calmed or ended, and crucially, in consultation with Iran.

In response to Trump's pronouncements, Iran's armed forces issued a warning of "more crushing, broader and more destructive" attacks, with a spokesperson for the Iranian military vowing the war would continue until the "permanent regret and surrender" of its adversaries. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed that messages had been received through intermediaries, including Pakistan, but explicitly stated there were "no direct negotiation with the US."