Britain hosted the military representatives in a virtual conference following a UK-led diplomatic meeting last week of some 40 countries on the critical waterway, which Iran has effectively blocked since early March.

"The conference explored appropriate measures for an international coalition to make the Strait of Hormuz accessible and safe once hostilities have ceased," the defence ministry said in a statement.

"This is part of the work to turn diplomatic consensus on the Strait of Hormuz into practical military planning," it added, noting another planning conference would be held "in due course".

The ministry did not let media witness the gathering. It posted brief video footage on social media showing British officials on the call from its Permanent Joint Headquarters in northwest London that serves as the UK's command center for overseeing and managing joint military operations around the world.

The Hormuz strait has been virtually closed since the US-Israeli war against Iran started on February 28, impacting global supplies of oil, liquified natural gas, and fertiliser.

That has led to a sharp rise in energy prices.

At last Thursday's diplomatic gathering hosted by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, dozens of officials demanded the "immediate and unconditional reopening" of the vital waterway, according to London.

Accusing Iran of trying to "hold the global economy hostage", the ministers and representatives who took part discussed areas of "possible collective, coordinated, action", Cooper said in a statement.

jj/tw

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