US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing his British counterpart to host a summit next week focused on protecting maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The effort points to a coordinated international response as concerns grow over the security of ships moving through the waterway.
The proposed meeting comes as pressure builds on President Donald Trump to help reopen a route described as shuttered by the war with Iran. That has raised the stakes for Washington and its allies, who are weighing how to restore safer passage without acting alone.
A UK-hosted Hormuz summit would bring other nations into discussions on maritime protection and the next steps for shipping security. The emphasis appears to be on building a broader framework for safeguarding vessels and managing the disruption affecting the strait.
Hegseth's push underscores how quickly the Strait of Hormuz has become a central diplomatic and security issue. Any gathering next week would be closely watched for signals on how the US, the UK and partner countries plan to respond to the crisis around Hormuz traffic.
