Archive · 22 Sep 2026
France, United States Weigh UN Mission to Reopen Hormuz
France is considering a new plan to help ships travel through the Strait of Hormuz.
The plan would be discussed by the United Nations Security Council.
France is working with the United States on a possible resolution.
The proposal followed a meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump.
It would support commercial ships, including oil tankers and container ships.
France wants the mission to protect shipping without attacking Iran.
Earlier attempts failed because China and Russia worried about unfair treatment of Iran.
Rising oil prices and concerns about nearby Houthi activity have increased pressure for a compromise.
France has begun drafting a UN Security Council resolution for an international mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The initiative followed talks between Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump during the UN General Assembly in New York.
France hopes the proposal could enable more container ships and oil tankers to transit, even without a broader agreement.
Earlier UN efforts failed to win support from China and Russia, which feared the proposals were biased against Iran.
The planned resolution would focus on freedom of navigation and energy access without taking an offensive posture toward Iran.
- Who
- France, working with the United States and other UN member states, is developing the proposal.
- What
- A draft UN Security Council resolution would establish an international effort to safeguard commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- The initiative was reported on September 22, after talks between Macron and Trump on the preceding Monday.
- Where
- The proposed mission would operate around the Strait of Hormuz; the diplomatic discussions took place in New York during the UN General Assembly.
- Why
- France says the effort would protect freedom of navigation and access to energy supplies while avoiding an offensive posture toward Iran.
- Lead country
- France
- International partner
- United States
- Proposed body
- United Nations Security Council
- Waterway
- Strait of Hormuz
- Mission focus
- Safeguarding commercial shipping and freedom of navigation
- Earlier obstacle
- China and Russia previously opposed or failed to support proposals over concerns about bias against Iran
- Regional concern
- Houthi advances in Yemen could threaten the Bab el-Mandeb corridor