US, Britain prepare London conference to secure Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Britain are preparing an international conference in London next week to discuss securing commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Citing an Axios report, ANTARA said the forum is aimed at forming an international coalition to protect merchant vessels passing through the strategic waterway. The agenda and date of the meeting are still being discussed. The report said possible attendees include defense ministers and senior military commanders, including Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine. Washington also wants partner countries to deploy assets such as minesweepers, other naval units and drones. But support from some countries is said to depend on the end of the armed conflict in the Persian Gulf region.