Image for representation purposes only The UK and France are set to host the first Defence Ministers’ meeting for a planned multinational mission aimed at reopening and securing the Strait of Hormuz. More than 40 nations are expected to join the virtual meeting, which will be co-chaired by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and French minister Catherine Vautrin. The discussions are expected to focus on military contributions for a defensive multinational mission intended to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz when conditions allow. The UK government said HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s most capable warships, is being positioned in the region to ensure Britain can support a future multinational operation aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation and protecting shipping traffic. The meeting follows weeks of military planning involving 44 nations from different parts of the world. British officials said the UK hosted military planners at the Permanent Joint Headquarters on 22 and 23 April, where countries worked on building a multinational plan for the operation. According to the UK government, the proposed mission would remain strictly defensive and focus on restoring safe passage for commercial vessels through the strategic waterway once hostilities ease. John Healey said the UK was moving from diplomatic discussions towards operational planning to stabilise shipping routes in the region. He stated that trade, energy supplies and economic security depended on restoring confidence for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Healey also confirmed he had directed HMS Dragon to the Middle East so Britain would be ready to support the mission if required. He added that the government would not stand by while instability continued to affect costs for British households and businesses. Tensions continue in the region despite a fragile ceasefire involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavi