UK gathers more than 30 countries to plot ways of reopening the Strait of Hormuz

LONDON (AP) — Almost three dozen countries will meet Thursday in an effort to exert diplomatic and political pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that has been choked off by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the virtual meeting chaired by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper “will assess all viable diplomatic and political measures we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and to resume the movement of vital commodities.”

Iranian attacks on commercial ships, and the threat of more, have halted nearly all traffic in the waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the globe’s oceans, shutting a critical path for the world’s flow of oil and sending petroleum prices soaring.

The U.S. is not among the countries attending Thursday's meeting. Trump has said securing the waterway is not America’s job, and told U.S. allies to “go get your own oil.”

No country appears willing to try and open the strait by force while fighting rages and Iran can target vessels with anti-ship missiles, drones, attack craft and mines. But Starmer said Wednesday that military planners from an unspecified number of countries will meet soon to work on how to ensure security for shipping “after the fighting has stopped.”

In the meantime, 35 countries including the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a statement demanding Iran stop its attempts to block the strait and pledging to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage” through the waterway.

Thursday’s meeting is considered a first step, to be followed by “working-level meetings” of officials to hammer out details.

Starmer said resuming shipping “will not be easy,” and will require “a united front of military strength and diplomatic activity” alongside partnership with the maritime industry.

The international effort idea has echoes of the international “coalition of the willing” that has been assembled, led by the U.K. and France, to underpin Ukraine’s security after a future ceasefire in that war. The coalition is, in part, an attempt to demonstrate to the Trump administration that Europe is stepping up to do more for its own security.

The urgency of stronger continental defenses has been reinforced by Trump’s renewed suggestion that the U.S. could pull out of NATO.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, second right, attends a virtual summit at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, on Thursday April 2, 2026, with around 35 countries to discuss ways of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper speaks during a virtual summit at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, on Thursday April 2, 2026, with around 35 countries to discuss ways of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, center, speaks during a virtual summit at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, on Thursday April 2, 2026, with around 35 countries to discuss ways of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, right, attends a virtual summit at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, on Thursday April 2, 2026, with around 35 countries to discuss ways of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference at Downing Street in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference at Downing Street in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 15, 2026--

Carter’s Inc. (NYSE:CRI), North America’s largest and most-enduring apparel company exclusively for babies and young children, today announced the launch of “Dadfirmations”—a first-of-its-kind national hotline designed to uplift dads ahead of Father’s Day through heartfelt messages from the people who matter most: their kids.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615222874/en/

Today’s dads are stepping up in meaningful ways, but like all parents, they’re also navigating a constant learning curve. That journey often comes with feelings of self-doubt—and new research from Carter’s shows many dads are quietly questioning whether they’re doing a good job.

According to the findings, nearly 3 in 4 dads (74%) admit to doubting themselves as a parent, 59% say they’ve compared themselves to other dads, and 84% feel pressured to seem like they "have it all together.”

Carter’s knows parenting is a journey, so ahead of Father’s Day, the brand is inviting children across the country to share words of encouragement, appreciation, and advice for dads and father figures through “Dadfirmations.” From June 16 through June 21, kids can call 1-844 ‑ DADS-RULE to record a short message sharing why their dad is special and celebrating the everyday moments that make him great. Then, on June 21, dads can dial the same number to hear a rotating collection of these uplifting messages—real kids delivering real reminders that dads are, in fact, showing up in meaningful ways.

And as it turns out, this is exactly what dads want most: When asked what they want for Father’s Day this year, 65% said “words of affirmation.”

“Today’s dads are more engaged than ever, but like every parent and partner, they’re also learning and growing every day,” said Sarah Crockett, Chief Marketing Officer at Carter’s, Inc. “No one has all the answers when it comes to parenting. The reality is, we’re all just figuring it out as we go, and moments of uncertainty are simply part of the journey. With ‘Dadfirmations,’ Carter’s is offering a meaningful boost of encouragement to help dads keep showing up with confidence.”

In addition to the national hotline, kids and families can also record “Dadfirmations” in person at select Carter’s stores from June 16 to June 21 in the following locations: Gastonia, NC; Atlanta, GA; Schaumburg, IL; Freehold, NJ; Stoneham, MA; Tustin, CA and Frisco, TX.

Survey Methodology

The Carter's Dad Confidence Survey was conducted online by the Carter’s consumer insights team among 201 U.S. fathers with children under the age of 10. The survey explored attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions related to modern fatherhood.

About Carter’s, Inc.

Carter’s, Inc. is North America’s largest and most-enduring apparel company exclusively for babies and young children. The Company’s core brands are Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh, iconic and among the sector’s most trusted names. These brands are sold through more than 1,000 Company-operated stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and online at www.carters.com, www.oshkosh.com, www.cartersoshkosh.ca, and www.carters.com.mx. Carter’s also is the largest supplier of baby and young children’s apparel to North America’s biggest retailers. The Company’s Child of Mine brand is available exclusively at Walmart, its Just One You brand is available at Target, and its Simple Joys brand is available on Amazon.com. The Company’s emerging brands include Little Planet, crafted with organic fabrics and sustainable materials, Otter Avenue, a toddler-focused apparel brand, and Skip Hop, baby essentials from tubs to toys. Carter’s is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information may be found at www.carters.com.

Families can call 844-DADS-RULE to leave a special Father's Day message.