France and Britain are organizing a conference of allied nations pursuing peaceful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz through a “strictly defensive” multinational mission, as American military commanders warned ships entering blockaded Iranian waters face “interception, diversion, and capture” from 3pm UK time today.
French President Emmanuel Macron characterized the Franco-British initiative as separate from warring parties whilst addressing Iran’s nuclear capabilities and Lebanese situation, declaring France “stood ready to play its full part” deploying the mission “as soon as circumstances permit.”
The diplomatic counteroffensive arrives as US Central Command issued stark warnings to seafarers that any vessels entering or departing the blockaded Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea region east of the Strait of Hormuz without authorization will be forcibly intercepted.
“Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorisation is subject to interception, diversion, and capture,” the Reuters-reviewed notice stated, though clarifying the blockade “will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations.”
The blockade applies to all traffic regardless of flag, with US military officials clarifying enforcement will proceed “impartially” on vessels accessing Iranian ports despite President Donald Trump’s initial social media declaration preventing “any and all” ships transiting the strategic waterway.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed Mr Trump’s blockade threat during cabinet remarks, asserting Iran “violated the rules” during weekend peace negotiations that collapsed after 21 hours in Islamabad.
“President Trump decided to impose a naval blockade on them. We of course support this firm position, and we are fully coordinated with the United States at all times,” Mr Netanyahu stated, revealing Vice President JD Vance briefed him from his Pakistan departure flight emphasizing “the central issue is the removal of all enriched material.”
Tehran dismissed the blockade as “ridiculous and laughable” whilst Iranian officials blamed collapsed negotiations on Washington “ultimately failing to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation.”
The blockade announcement followed Mr Trump’s blistering overnight attack on Pope Leo XIV, branding the pontiff “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy”—criticism the Vatican leader rebuffed whilst vowing continuing anti-war advocacy.
Britannia Daily understands Britain will not participate in the American blockade despite Mr Trump claiming NATO and UK support, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledging the government’s “difference of agreement” with Washington over Iran has “strained” relations with the Trump administration.
Mr Trump stated he doesn’t care whether Iranians return to negotiations following the Islamabad talks breakdown.
