Submitted by Michael Kern ofOilPrice.com,
The UKis hosting(yesterday and today) a two-day multinational conferenceconvening military planners from more than 30 countries as Britain and France renew efforts to re-open the Strait of Hormuz.
The two-day conference takes place just after U.S. President Donald Trump late on Tuesdayextendedthe U.S.-Iran ceasefire until negotiations with Iran conclude “one way or the other.”
President Trump has also ordered that the U.S. blockade at the Strait of Hormuz remains in place.
Hopes of U.S.-Iran negotiations resuming as early as Wednesday were dashed after reports emerged that the trip of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan, which hosted the previous round of failed talks, has beenput on hold.
As of early Wednesday, there were no signs that the talks could resume soon.
The U.S. is keeping the naval blockade outside the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has called a “siege” and a violation of the ceasefire.
The UK, which early this month hostedthe first such meeting, said that this week’s conference is part of the UK and French leadership of a multinational coalition to reopen the Strait.
“The sessions will advance military plans to reopen the Strait, as soon as conditions permit, following a sustainable ceasefire agreement,”the UK governmentsaidin a statement.
“The task, today and tomorrow, is to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said ahead of the conference.
Source: ZeroHedge News
