US and UK Plan International 'Boat Bodyguard' Squad to Guard Strait Drama
KEY POINTS
- â˘The US and UK plan a high-level London meeting next week to discuss protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- â˘Iran began attacking ships two weeks ago, triggering daily US strikes targeting Iranâs southern coast military assets.
- â˘Omani diplomats continue shuttle diplomacy as Iran insists negotiations stall due to Americaâs 'approach,' not mediators.
In a plot twist straight from a geopolitical soap opera, the US and UK are huddling in London next week to form a maritime coalition to babysit ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran recently turned into a missile-happy toddler. Defense Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine might star in this high-stakes maritime Avengers reunion, despite dates and details still looking like a Tinder date with zero commitment. Since Iran started firing at ships two weeks ago, US strikes have apparently neutered Iranian naval muscleâexcept when officials say it hasnât. Meanwhile, Trump escalated the drama by threatening to bomb Tehran's bridges and power plants, prompting Iran to flash their own ominous menu of nastiness against Gulf neighbors. Backstage, Omani diplomats are playing peacekeeper, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi aired grievances, claiming Americaâs 'approach' is the real issueânot a shortage of mediators. The US wants allies to deploy everything from de-mining ships to drones because, as one European diplomat said, 'The Americans are looking for a way out and want our help.' Basically, this maritime proxy war sounds less like an exit strategy and more like a dysfunctional group project that no one really signed up for.
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(1 of 3)Source: Axios | Published: 7/24/2026 | Author: Barak Ravid