France, UK lead talks on securing Strait of Hormuz after war

France and Britain will chair a meeting on Friday of around 40 countries aimed at signaling to the United States that some of its closest allies are ready to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow.Iran has largely closed the strait to ships other than its own since the start of US-Israeli air strikes on February 28. On Monday, Washington imposed a blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.US President Donald Trump has called on other countries to help enforce the blockade and has criticized NATO allies for not doing so.Britain, France and others say joining the blockade would amount to entering the war, but they have said they would be willing to help keep the strait open once there is a lasting ceasefire or the conflict ends.The initiative being discussed does not for now include the United States or Iran, though European diplomats said any

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