Macron and Starmer host allies for summit on Hormuz maritime security

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Macron and Starmer host allies for summit on Hormuz maritime security

Published

1 month ago

April 17, 2026

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US not part of France- and UK-led talks on a post-war Hormuz maritime force, but Europe’s role remains limited.

France and the United Kingdom are convening dozens of countries to advance plans for a multinational maritime force to secure the Strait of Hormuz, but Washington is not part of the discussions.

The meeting is taking place at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on Friday, chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with about 30 to 40 countries participating in person or by video conference.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni are also attending in person, but the full list of attendees has not been disclosed.

The talks will focus on what has been formally branded the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative, a defensive mission to restore free passage through the waterway once a lasting ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran is in place.

The strait has been closed since Iran imposed a blockade after the US and Israel launched their war on February 28. A fifth of the world’s oil usually passes through the chokepoint. The US has since compounded the disruption by imposing its own blockade on Iranian ports.

European leaders warned that the ongoing closure threatened consumers with higher inflation, food shortages, and flight cancellations as jet fuel supplies ran thin. More than 20,000 seafarers were trapped on board hundreds of vessels caught in the blockade.

“The unconditional and immediate reopening of the strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again,” Starmer said in comments before the meeting, accusing Iran of “holding the world’s economy to ransom”.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the blockade’s economic consequences “major” for French citizens and businesses alike.

The initiative mirrored Europe’s earlier efforts to assemble a security force for Ukraine, and carried similar conditions: Deployment only when the conflict ends and security conditions allow.

A French presidential official speaking to the AFP news agency said allies would need “an Iranian commitment not to fire on passing ships and a US commitment not to block any ships leaving or entering the Strait of Hormuz” before any mission could proceed.

Washington’s absence from the table was deliberate. Macron said the mission to provide security for shipping through the strait would be “strictly defensive” and limited to non-belligerent countries.

The operation was partly a response to Trump, who had berated European allies for failing to join the war, called NATO members “cowards”, and told the UK: “You don’t even have a navy.”

Trump’s retaliatory US blockade of Iranian ports has raised the economic jeopardy even higher.

Military planning is already under way. The UK has discussed deploying mine-hunting drones from the ship RFA Lyme Bay, while France sent its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier alongside a helicopter carrier and several frigates to the region. French military spokesman Colonel Guillaume Vernet cautioned that the mission remained “in construction”.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/17/macron-and-starmer-host-allies-for-summit-on-hormuz-maritime-security?traffic_source=rss

Related Topics:சர்வதேச செய்திகள்தமிழ் மொழிபெயர்ப்பு

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Southampton expelled from world’s most lucrative football match for spying

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3 hours ago

May 19, 2026

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Southampton out of EFL championship playoff final after spying on Middlesbrough, who face Hull for Premier League place.

Southampton have been expelled from the English Football League (EFL) Championship playoff final after admitting to spying on a training session of semifinal opponents Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough have been reinstated as a result of Tuesday’s decision and are set to face Hull at Wembley on Saturday for a place in English football’s Premier League.

The match is regarded as the most lucrative in world football, given the winner is promoted to the Premier League – the richest club competition in the global game – and receives 200 million British pounds ($268m) in extra income.

Southampton will also be docked four points next season after admitting to multiple breaches of regulations related to the “unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training” sessions, according to a statement from the EFL.

“An independent disciplinary commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs,” the EFL said.

Southampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, confirmed they would appeal the sanctions.

The EFL said the parties were working to ensure an appeal could be heard on Wednesday.

“Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture,” the EFL said.

A member of the Southampton coaching staff was caught by Middlesbrough officials recording training on his phone.

The EFL confirmed further charges had been laid against Southampton, and that the club had also admitted observing training sessions ahead of matches against Oxford and Ipswich.

The first leg ended 0-0 before Southampton progressed with a 2-1 win after extra time in the second leg.

Middlesbrough issued a statement welcoming the outcome of the disciplinary commission hearing.

“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct,” the statement said.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/5/19/southampton-expelled-from-worlds-most-lucrative-football-match-for-spying?traffic_source=rss

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Does Ukraine have the advantage at the moment?

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3 hours ago

May 19, 2026

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Kyiv takes the war deeper into Russia with a huge attack on the Moscow region.

There appears to be a shift in the years-long conflict in Ukraine.

Last weekend, Ukrainian forces struck deeper into Russian territory, piercing its air defences in a large strike on the Moscow region.

This came a week after fears of a Ukrainian attack forced Russia to scale down its annual Victory Day parade.

Kyiv’s also been relentlessly striking Russia’s oil facilities and military logistics, as it tries to disrupt supplies to the front lines.

All this as Russian missiles and drones continue to target sites across Ukraine.

So, where does the war stand in its fifth year? Does any one side have the upper hand?

Peter Zalmayev – Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative

Pavel Felgenhauer – Russian foreign policy analyst

Mark Episkopos – Research fellow at the Quincy Institute’s Eurasia Program

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/video/inside-story/2026/5/19/does-ukraine-have-the-advantage-at-the-moment?traffic_source=rss

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Norway journalist calls out Modi over avoiding media questions

Published

3 hours ago

May 19, 2026

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Norway journalist calls out Modi over avoiding media questions

‘Modi, why don’t you take some questions?’

A Norwegian reporter asked Narendra Modi why he wouldn’t speak to the media after a press conference in Oslo on Monday. India’s prime minister has faced consistent criticism for his refusal to hold open media briefings.

📰 மூல செய்தி (Source): https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/5/19/norway-journalist-calls-out-modi-over-avoiding-media-questions?traffic_source=rss