Defense chiefs from 35 countries held a high-level meeting on Thursday to discuss the ongoing crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that has effectively remained closed since the outbreak of the Iran war.
According to France’s Ministry of Armed Forces, the meeting—conducted via video conference—focused on potential strategies to safely reopen the strait once the intensity of the conflict subsides. The Strait of Hormuz is responsible for transporting nearly 20 percent of the world’s energy supply, making its closure a major concern for global markets and energy security.
The discussions reportedly included proposals for escorting commercial vessels and launching a defensive maritime operation aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the region. However, France did not disclose the identities of the participating countries.
Efforts led by the United States to reopen the strategic waterway have so far failed, as Iran remains unwilling to comply with either diplomatic negotiations or military pressure. Earlier, the U.S. president had called on Western allies and China to join a potential military initiative to secure the route, but the proposal has received little international support.
Meanwhile, Iran has continued its military operations in Gulf countries. The United Arab Emirates reported intercepting 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones in a single day. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defense systems are actively countering ongoing threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.
Since the beginning of the conflict, the UAE claims to have intercepted 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,826 drones.
Casualties have also been reported. Two members of the UAE armed forces and a Moroccan national affiliated with the military were killed in the attacks. Additionally, eight foreign nationals—including citizens from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Palestine, and India—have lost their lives amid the escalating violence.
The situation remains volatile, with global powers closely monitoring developments as concerns grow over regional stability and the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies.
