The United Kingdom and France plan to lead a 15-nation mission to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz once a deal restores full commercial navigation, Bloomberg reported.
Military planners have reached an advanced stage, according to the report. Some countries still need support vessels and may join after the operation starts.
Britain has moved RFA Lyme Bay from Gibraltar toward the Strait. The vessel carries autonomous mine-hunting systems for the planned mission.
The UK package also includes anti-drone systems, Typhoon fighter jets and the destroyer HMS Dragon.
Deployment depends on an agreement that allows safe shipping and military operations in the waterway. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Washington had stalled.
About 1,500 cargo vessels remain stranded under a fragile ceasefire. The Strait has stayed closed for four months since the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the plan had reached discussions with the United States and 50 other countries. She said international shipping needs maritime support before it can return to normal.
Read: UK, France Host Strait Of Hormuz Reopening Talks In London
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the plan a “catch-22” before Congress. He said coalition ships would deploy only after hostilities ended, while the United States lacks purpose-built mine countermeasure ships in the region.
