France is leading an international effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian actions effectively blocked passages following a sharp escalation in hostilities around February 2026. President Emmanuel Macron told the United Nations General Assembly in September that restoring navigation was a cardinal principle of international law and essential to easing global energy-market tensions. A multinational mission proposed by France and the UK would focus on commercial-vessel escorts and mine clearance, but would require a sustainable ceasefire and consultations with Iran before deployment. France has ruled out forcing open the strait during active hostilities, leaving its Charles de Gaulle carrier group on standby. The initiative follows Russia and China’s April 7 veto of a Bahrain-led Security Council draft, S/2026/273, and an April 17 summit attended by about 50 to 51 countries that called for immediate reopening. The waterway carries roughly 20% of global oil supplies, making negotiations important for oil prices, manufacturing, logistics and petrochemicals.