France and allies plan joint mission to secure Strait of Hormuz

Moscow (ANTARA) – France, together with several other countries, is working to establish a joint mission to ensure safe passage for tanker ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran.

This effort comes amid escalation in the Middle East, according to Financial Times reporting on Sunday (15 March), citing an unnamed French diplomat.

“We are working with a number of partners to ensure safe passage for tanker ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” the diplomat said, as quoted by the newspaper.

However, the source did not disclose the identities of the partners in question.

The source added that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will discuss the initiative with European Union counterparts on Monday.

On Saturday, United States President Donald Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other nations to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

On Thursday, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that the French government does not plan to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz amid escalation in the region.

On 28 February, the US and Israel launched attacks against several targets in Iran, including Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties.

Iran responded by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East in self-defence.

The escalation of tensions around Iran has resulted in a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the primary shipping route for crude oil and liquefied natural gas from Persian Gulf nations to global markets.

The blockade has also affected oil export levels and production in the region.