Mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz will only be carried out by Iran, the regime has said, casting doubt on a planned UK and French-led mission to make the vital oil supply route safe for shipping.
The country’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said this was in line with the interim ceasefire deal signed with the US as Tehran moved to maintain its grip on the strategic waterway.
His remarks came in response to French President Emmanuel Macron, who said his country would work with Oman “in co-ordination with our partners” to demine the Gulf channel and ensure free passage for vessels.
Britain and France have been at the forefront of a proposed international mission to protect and reassure vessels using the strait once hostilities are over.
Ending Tehran’s stranglehold on the strategic waterway, which disrupted global oil and gas supplies and drove up fuel and food prices, had been a key demand in negotiations.
However, the sea route remains a flashpoint for the fragile truce, with an attack on a cargo ship sparking a four-day exchange of fire between the two sides that threatened the agreement aimed at ending the war.
The initial deal reached between the US and Iran – known as the Islamabad memorandum of understanding – only secures safe, toll-free passage of the strait for 60 days, pending the outcome of a final agreement on Tehran’s disputed nuclear plans.
As part of opening up the waterway, it said demining would be carried out by Iran.
The initial pact also leaves it to Tehran and Oman, in conjunction with other Gulf states, to “define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz”.
In the meantime, Iran has continued to try and exert leverage over the channel, including demanding ships seek permission to transit and raising the spectre of future charges.
Following a meeting with the sultan of Oman in Paris, Mr Macron posted on X: “We are working together for de-escalation in the Middle East.
“We have decided to collaborate jointly, in co-ordination with our partners, on demining the strait to secure maritime routes and ensure free and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”
In reply, Mr Gharibabadi wrote: “Macron has said that he is cooperating with his partners in demining the Strait of Hormuz.
“According to the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, demining is carried out solely by Iran and by no other country, and we fundamentally do not permit any such thing.
“The situation is sensitive and complex. We strongly advise France not to complicate it further with its provocations.”
The UK Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, after trading strikes over the weekend and with an apparent pause in attacks, the US is sending a high-level delegation to Qatar to hold talks with Iran, although Tehran has denied a meeting is happening.
