Navy chiefs from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, India and Japan have held talks over the US-Israeli war on Iran and the deteriorating shipping situation in ⁠the Middle East, Al Jazeera reports.

“I have recently held discussions with my foreign counterparts to share our analyses and coordinate our actions in response to ‌the situation in the Middle East,” ‌Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, chief of staff ⁠for ⁠the French Navy, has said.

“We are exchanging views on issues related to freedom of navigation and maritime security as the sea is a vital ⁠artery for our global economy ⁠and regional stability,” Vaujour wrote on X.

Vaujour’s talks follow a similar initiative from France’s Armed Forces chief Fabien Mandon, who ‌said he would hold a videoconference “soon” with army chiefs from countries keen to play a ‌role ‌in restoring maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.