British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Gulf on April 8 to meet regional leaders and support efforts to sustain the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to a government statement. Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron said around 15 countries are coordinating a strictly defensive French-led mission coordinated with Iran to facilitate ‌the resumption of maritime traffic through the strait.

The diplomatic push follows weeks of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes that began in late February, severely curtailing a key route for global oil and liquefied natural gas flows. The United Kingdom had already convened virtual meetings with over 40 countries to coordinate post-conflict planning, including mine-clearing and maritime security. The United States, which has urged other countries to take responsibility for securing the strait and criticized European allies for their limited support, did not participate. European governments have emphasized that reopening the strait requires a ceasefire and coordination with Iran.