Britain and 35 other countries meeting to unblock Strait of Hormuz - Reuters

The UK will hold online talks with 35 countries to form a coalition to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on Thursday, April 2.

The talks will be the first formal meeting of the countries before an upcoming series of military-led talks. More than 35 countries plan to form a coalition to find ways to restore the Strait of Hormuz.

"British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will lead a virtual meeting of about 35 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, to discuss ways to restore freedom of navigation in the region. The United States is not expected to participate," the report said.

One European official said the first step would be to clear the waterway of mines, while the second would be to protect tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said opening the waterway "will not be easy" and would require "a united front of military force and diplomacy" along with cooperation with the shipping industry. He said the meeting would assess "all viable diplomatic and political measures" to restore freedom of navigation in the region after a ceasefire.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, US President Donald Trump threatened to halt Washington's participation in key defense programs for Ukraine in order to force European allies to intervene in the situation around the Strait of Hormuz.

On April 1, Trump said the US could end the war with Iran in two to three weeks.

On March 31, Trump criticized France for refusing to allow aircraft to fly over the area during the operation against Iran.

On March 3, US President Donald Trump announced his decision to "terminate all relations" with Spain after Madrid refused to allow the use of its military bases for strikes in the Middle East.