France & U.K Suggest Naval Mission To Secure Hormuz, Iran Against Foreign Presence In The Strait

The U.K. and France plan to deploy a multinational naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz to clear naval mines and secure the waterway for commercial vessels.

For London and Paris, this is part of an effort to show the world that Europe can act on its own without relying on the U.S for forces or discretion.

However, Iran is critical of the proposal since it does not trust European countries, a senior Iranian official said.

Iran, in fact, might come up with its own proposal to safeguard shipping in the Strait, where it asserts its right to control and manage commercial shipping alongside Oman.

“Any presence of foreign countries, whether to safeguard shipping or clear mines, is unacceptable … This is a trick to ​bring naval forces to the strait, and it will not be accepted,” the official added.

Foreign Minister of France Jean-Noël Barrot said that he discussed the plan with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi last week.

“France, the United Kingdom and several dozen countries have put together a strictly defensive international mission, independent from the parties to the conflict, capable of deploying rapidly to ensure freedom of navigation,” Barrot said.

The plan will be further discussed among country heads at the G7 meet from today onwards, as Europe strives to stabilise global oil flow and regulate energy prices.

G7 countries are preparing for the truce, and the Strait’s reopening without any tolls and also the end of the U.S blockade on Iranian ports.

The first phase of the ceasefire, expected to last for 60 days, would likely see a few deployments while the U.S-Iran deal is expected to be signed in Geneva on Friday.

President Emmanuel Macron said that a mission could be deployed in two to three days if all sides agreed to the proposal.

However, if it does happen, the UK and France, which have naval assets in the region, will carry the most burden, though Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have also shown interest in the endeavour but will require Parliamentary approval before moving forward.

France has minehunters and its carrier strike group, though the latter would not be part of any Hormuz operation.