France has not confirmed CMA CGM ship as target in Strait of Hormuz

Istanbul (ANTARA) - French authorities on Wednesday said they could not confirm reports that a cargo ship operated by CMA CGM had been targeted in the Strait of Hormuz.

“I cannot confirm this morning whether it really happened,” government spokesperson Maud Bregeon told the franceinfo television station in response to media reports alleging the ship had been targeted off the coast of Dubai.

She said that if the reports proved true, the situation would be “completely unacceptable.”

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot also told franceinfo that his side could not confirm the reports at this stage but expected clarification from the reported ship owner “in the next few hours.”

He added that there are currently “59 ships of French interest” in the Strait of Hormuz.

American and British media had previously reported that a French cargo ship may have been fired upon in the strategic waterway.

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf alongside the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire came into effect on 8 April through mediation by Pakistan, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. The ceasefire was subsequently extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump without a specified timeframe.

Since 13 April, the United States has imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strait.