European leaders have set out plans for a coordinated defensive mission to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once security conditions allow, following talks involving more than 40 countries.
The leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany agreed the proposal during an international video conference on Friday, aimed at ensuring the strategic waterway remains open to global shipping.
French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Recent events are encouraging, even if we should remain prudent" and welcomed Iran’s announcement on Hormuz reopening, saying it “goes in the right direction." He said countries involved could not accept “any privatisation of the Strait of Hormuz”, including “any toll system”, and confirmed a neutral, independent mission would be established. A follow-up meeting will take place in London next week.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the mission under discussion would be defensive in nature and follows the ceasefire agreement. He added that participating nations had agreed to accelerate military planning.
Starmer said around a dozen countries are prepared to contribute assets, with further details on the mission’s structure expected next week.
Friedrich Merz said Germany was willing to contribute, noting that involvement from the U.S. would also be “desirable.”
“I require a decision by the federal government, a mandate from the German Bundestag and a sound military concept,” Merz said, adding that Germany’s role could include reconnaissance and mine-clearing operations.
“We will therefore take part in the further military planning discussions that are taking place and would also like to see the United States of America participate, if possible. We believe this would be desirable,” he added.
Kazakhstan has concluded its first election to the new unicameral Kurultai, with turnout reaching 74.19 per cent, as vote counting begins following...
The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive 70,000 doses of the Ebola vaccine Ervebo as health authoriti...
U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed...
Iran on Saturday denounced U.S. plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic's economy and have an impact on its most important trading partners including China.
A large-scale drone attack has hit Russia's Samara region, damaging facilities and disrupting operations at an Ozon logistics complex, according to regional authorities and the company.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected calls for a wartime election, arguing that holding a vote while Russia's full-scale invasion continues would divide the country and undermine national unity.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was not ready to make what he called the "right deal" with Washington as tensions persisted over the war and the Strait of Hormuz.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of August, covering the latest developments.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive 70,000 doses of the Ebola vaccine Ervebo as health authorities race to contain what has become the country's largest Ebola outbreak on record.
Kazakhstanis went to the polls on Sunday in a snap parliamentary election held under the country’s new constitutional system, which replaces the former two-chamber parliament with a single 145-seat legislature known as the Kurultai.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected calls for a wartime election, arguing that holding a vote while Russia's full-scale invasion continues would divide the country and undermine national unity.
Syria expects negotiations with Israel over a security agreement to resume soon despite deep mistrust between the two sides, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said in an interview with Reuters, urging Israel to seize an "historic opportunity" as the door for diplomacy is open.
India's Coast Guard and Navy continued search-and-rescue operations off the eastern coast on Sunday after a Panama-flagged cargo vessel carrying 24 crew sank, with two Chinese nationals rescued, a senior official said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment