France’s ⁠armed ⁠forces chief has held a videoconference call with 35 ⁠countries about ways ⁠to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

France’s Defence Ministry did not disclose which countries joined the call.

“This initiative, independent of ⁠the ongoing military operations in ⁠the region, is strictly defensive in nature. ⁠Its purpose is to organize ⁠the resumption of ⁠shipping through the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities have ‌ceased,” it said in a statement.