A BRITISH and French plan to force open the Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump’s war in Iran ends will reportedly exclude the US.
French President said he is planning an international defensive mission without “belligerent” parties – meaning it would exclude the US, Iran and .
The US began to clear naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as two US Navy guided missile destroyers carried out operations in the areaCredit: US Centcom
Despite the US blockade, Rich Starry, passed through the Strait of HormuzCredit: X
Rich Starry then u-turned in the Gulf of OmanCredit: Marine Traffic
Sources close to the plan told the Wall Street Journal that the European ships will not be operating under command.
The mission intends to give shipping companies confidence to use the Strait of Hormuz without fear.
PM Sir and Macron are set to co-host a meeting on Friday with several dozen countries who will discuss how to the vital shipping lane after the end of the war.
The US will not be at the meeting, officials said, as a rift deepens between Trump and , with fears growing about the US pulling out of altogether.
Germany is set to be involved in the plan.
It comes as Trump told the New York Post that talks between the US and Iran could restart “over next two days” in Islamabad.
The US president first said discussions about more talks were “happening, but, you know, a little bit slow”, before adding that “something could be happening over the next two days” in the Pakistani capital.
Direct talks between the US and Iran ended without a deal on Saturday – said that the sticking point was uranium enrichment.
Reports suggest had demanded that Iran stop enriching uranium for five years, but Tehran would only promise a five-year halt.
Trump told The Post today that even two decades would be too short.
He said: “I’ve been saying they can’t have … so I don’t like the 20 years.”
An American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began yesterday afternoon, in response to Tehran’s tight grip on the critical oil chokepoint – it applied to any ship entering and exiting Iranian ports.
Iran had shut the Strait for a second time, despite last week agreeing to a temporary ceasefire deal that was contingent on reopening the waterway.
Trump threatened to sink any ship that dares to defy his blockade, adding that US forces will employ “the same system of kill” used against drug trafficking boats in the Sea.
Yet several ships seem to have slipped through the Strait in defiance of the US.
Trump threatened to sink any ship that dares to defy his blockadeCredit: Salwan Georges / Pool via CNP / SplashNews.com
PM Sir Keir Starmer refused to join the US blockade and is cooking up a plan to clear the Strait after the war with the FrenchCredit: Crown Copyright
Two of the four ships that passed through are confirmed to have visited Iran – the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, Christianna, and the Comoros-flagged and chemical tanker, Elpis.
The Christianna passed through the strait after Monday’s deadline, sailing from the major Iranian port city of Bandar Imam Khomeini.
The US-sanctioned Elpis headed east across the waterway, departing from the Iranian port of Bushehr.
Both of the other two tankers were linked to Iran ally – which has directly challenged Trump’s authority over the strait.
The tanker Murlikishan, which is under US sanctions for Iran-related trade, headed west through the strait, coming from Lanshan in China.
Rich Starry – which has been sanctioned by America since 2023 for dealing with – in the other direction overnight.
But Rich Starry then u-turned in the Gulf of Oman, appearing to head back towards the Strait of Hormuz, according to tracking data.
It is possible these ships have been broadcasting false position reports – known as “spoofing” – to disguise their locations.
The US military said on Tuesday that no ships made it past its blockade, adding that six merchant ships followed orders to turn back – Rich Starry and the other tankers could have been among them.
The Wall Street Journal reported that 20 commercial ships had passed through the Strait since the start of the US blockade, citing US officials – ships that aren’t visiting Iranian ports are being allowed through the American blockade, but few are daring to make the risky voyage.
Sources told the paper that the vessels included cargo ships, tankers and container ships, entering and exiting the Persian Gulf.
Some of the ships had removed trackers to avoid attacks from the Iranians.
Trump told the New York Post that more talks with Iran could be coming in the next two daysCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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