The United States and United Kingdom are planning a high-level conference in London next week to discuss forming an international coalition to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with attendees potentially including defense secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. The discussions aim to assemble Western and regional partners to contribute assets such as naval vessels, mine-clearing ships, and surveillance drones to safeguard the crucial chokepoint, where about a fifth of global oil and a substantial share of LNG pass. The plan follows rising tensions and attacks in the strait and the broader US-Iran confrontation, as Washington seeks a coordinated maritime mission while signaling a path toward stabilizing global energy markets. Regional participation, including Arab states and Oman engaging in related talks, highlights the logistical and political complexities of mounting a sustained international presence. The proposed coalition would depend on broad cooperation and a consensus that hostilities in the waterway should be reduced to enable a secure mission.