Scoop: U.S. and U.K. planning international conference on Strait of Hormuz

The United States and United Kingdom are planning an international conference focused on assembling a coalition to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative comes amid escalating tensions: Iran has been attacking commercial vessels there, and the U.S. has responded with military strikes against Iranian positions. Per Axios, those strikes have contributed to a temporary pause in attacks, though U.S. officials disagree on whether Iran's military capabilities in the region have been truly diminished. The summit will bring together defense ministers and military commanders from allied nations, with U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine potentially attending. Participating countries will be encouraged to contribute assets—de-mining vessels, naval ships, and surveillance drones—to secure the shipping lanes. For the United States, establishing stable maritime commerce through the Strait is essential both to resolving the conflict with Iran and to steadying global energy markets.

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