A coalition of nonbelligerent states led by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer has announced readiness to lead an international mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation and trade in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. However, officials said the mission will only be deployed once the ongoing conflict involving Iran comes to an end.

The announcement followed a meeting of the coalition of nonbelligerent states held in Paris on Friday, where leaders expressed cautious optimism despite recent ceasefire developments in the region.

A temporary ceasefire has paused fighting between Iran and a U.S.-Israeli coalition until April 22. Meanwhile, a separate 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon—where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah holds strong influence—was announced on Thursday.

On Friday, both Iran and the United States said that the Strait of Hormuz was now “open” to commercial shipping. However, Washington indicated that its blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a broader peace agreement with Tehran is reached.

Maritime traffic in the strait had effectively halted since the outbreak of the war on February 28, after Iranian officials warned that merchant vessels attempting to pass through the key shipping lane could be targeted. The waterway is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, normally carrying around 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies.

Speaking after the meeting, Macron said recent developments were encouraging but required careful monitoring.

“The ceasefires in Lebanon and Iran, as well as Iran’s statement on the Strait of Hormuz, are steps in the right direction,” he said. “But we consider these developments with prudence.”

Starmer, who co-chaired the Paris meeting with Macron, stressed that reopening the strait must be both sustainable and credible.

“The opening of the strait must be lasting and a workable proposal,” the British prime minister said.

Also attending the meeting were Friedrich Merz and Giorgia Meloni, alongside representatives from around 50 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, as well as several international organizations, many of whom joined the discussions remotely.

The coalition’s proposed maritime mission is expected to focus on ensuring safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz once a broader peace settlement is reached.