Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17: The Group of Seven nations has endorsed a new multinational defensive maritime initiative led by France and the United Kingdom to help secure and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following a reported peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
In a formal declaration issued at the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, leaders reaffirmed that “the right of unimpeded and duty-free transit passage is the cornerstone of international trade,” underscoring the strategic importance of the waterway, which carries a significant share of global oil shipments and has long been a flashpoint of geopolitical tensions.
The initiative, backed by the G7, aims to stabilise maritime traffic through the strait by prioritising the protection of commercial vessels, restoring confidence among shipping operators and insurers, and supporting efforts to detect and remove naval mines.
According to the declaration, the France–UK-led coalition will serve as an independent defensive framework to help resume safe navigation. It will also assist in verification measures related to mine clearance and broader maritime security coordination.
The move comes after comments from US President Donald Trump, who said the strait had already “partially opened” and would be “completely opened” within days under a new understanding reached with Iran. Speaking on the sidelines of the summit during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump expressed optimism about restoring full maritime traffic through the region.
“I am very happy to say the deal's all signed and the strait is already partially opened,” Trump said, adding that mine-clearing operations were underway and commercial shipping had begun resuming. He suggested that full reopening would follow later in the week, calling the development a step toward renewed stability in the region.
Earlier, Trump had also announced on social media that vessels, including oil tankers, had begun moving through the waterway again, describing designated routes as secure and operational. He further claimed that a US naval blockade had been lifted as part of the broader agreement framework, and that the deal aimed to ensure “peace and security” in the region.
While implementation details remain under international observation, the G7’s backing of the France–UK-led mission signals a coordinated push to secure one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors and prevent further disruption to global energy and trade flows.
