LONDON, July 29 -- Britain and France are declining to join the United States in patrolling the Strait of Hormuz until a durable ceasefire is established between Washington and Tehran, Politico reported Wednesday, citing officials. The refusal exposed a rift between Washington and its two most capable European military partners over risk-sharing in a mission that follows from decisions in which those partners had no part.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth raised the Hormuz patrol initiative with his British counterpart, Wes Streeting, in a phone call last Friday. Catherine Vautrin, France's armed forces minister, joined a subsequent conversation on Monday. No agreement was reached.

American and British officials intend to convene an ...