Luxembourg, Luxembourg. France and Britain are advancing plans for a multinational naval mission to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz if a U.S.-Iran ceasefire takes effect. Iranian officials have indicated strong opposition to any foreign military presence in the waterway.
European mission under discussion
Diplomats said Iran has signalled firm resistance to any such deployment and could seek to impose transit fees on shipping, a step European powers consider unacceptable. Iran’s position is seen as central to whether any operation could proceed.
A European official said Iran was hostile to any foreign military presence but remained open to dialogue, adding that Tehran was likely to present its own proposals.
Iran rejects foreign presence
A senior Iranian official said any presence of foreign countries, whether to safeguard shipping or clear mines, was unacceptable and described the proposal as an attempt to bring naval forces into the strait.
A second Iranian security official said Tehran had “zero trust in foreign countries” and insisted that control of the strait belongs to Iran and, to some extent, Oman.
France says mission is ready
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the European-led initiative had been discussed with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi last week and had been in preparation for weeks among about a dozen militaries. He said the mission would include minehunters, warships and air surveillance assets.
Speaking on arrival at a European Union foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg, Barrot said the mission was already ready.
He said France, the United Kingdom and several dozen countries had assembled a strictly defensive international mission, independent from the parties to the conflict and capable of deploying rapidly to ensure freedom of navigation.
G7 leaders to discuss proposal
G7 leaders gathering in the French Alps from Monday are expected to discuss the plan as officials seek to turn any ceasefire into practical steps to stabilise global energy flows.
