The United Kingdom is preparing to deploy a fleet of RAF Typhoon fighter jets based in Qatar as part of a multinational mission aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open after the war triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran comes to an end.
According to the British press, this proposal was at the center of a two-day meeting jointly organized with France and attended by representatives from 30 countries.
According to a report by The Guardian, the UK is ready to deploy its RAF Typhoon fleet stationed in Qatar to conduct patrol missions over the Strait of Hormuz in order to ensure that this strategic waterway remains open after the Iran war ends.
“Americans were kept constantly informed”
Currently, eight British Typhoon jets are stationed in Qatar. Countries such as Germany, Norway, South Korea, and Australia sent representatives to the meeting. It has not been confirmed whether the US attended the meeting, which concluded on Thursday, but British sources reportedly stated that the Americans were “kept constantly informed.”
UK Defence Secretary John Healey also attended the meeting later in the day. Healey told planners that their task was to “develop practical military options” and “prepare a coordinated joint plan to maintain freedom of navigation in the strait.” This statement was included in a joint declaration with his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin.
“Multinational mission remains uncertain”
Despite this, the status of the multinational mission remains unclear. Donald Trump has at times called for other countries to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while in other statements suggesting that the US does not need assistance.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono announced that his country would not join the joint naval mission proposed by the UK and France to protect commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Statements from Macron and Starmer
On April 17 in Paris, an international conference on restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was held with representatives from 49 countries in attendance.
Following the conference, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated at a press conference that military planning is necessary to ensure freedom of navigation in the region, saying: “The UK and France will lead a multinational mission to ensure freedom of navigation as soon as conditions allow.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also said that France is working with the UK to accelerate the implementation of a “neutral mission, separate from the warring parties,” aimed at escorting commercial vessels passing through the Gulf and ensuring their security.