- France and the United Kingdom have expressed readiness to support a broader multinational maritime security mission in coordination with Oman if necessary.
France has deployed mine countermeasure vessels to the Strait of Hormuz as part of international efforts to secure maritime navigation through one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes amid ongoing regional tensions.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France’s mine-clearing assets are prepared to work alongside allied partners to ensure the safe resumption of commercial navigation and protect maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
According to news agencies, the deployment includes minehunters, escort frigates, and maritime patrol aircraft positioned to support security operations if required. The move comes after months of disruptions and heightened tensions in the Gulf that affected global shipping and energy markets.
Macron also announced the return of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to port following discussions with Omani authorities, while confirming that France’s naval mine-clearing units will remain operational in the region.
The initiative follows growing international concern over navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway for global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
France and the United Kingdom have expressed readiness to support a broader multinational maritime security mission in coordination with Oman if necessary.
Iran, however, has opposed additional Western military involvement in the Strait, insisting that regional countries should manage its security and warning against foreign-led demining operations in the area.
