UK and France Say They Are Ready for Broader Multinational Military Action to Secure Strait of Hormuz Shipping

According to Lianhe Zaobao, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron said in a joint statement on July 4 that the UK and France will work with Oman to safeguard shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz and are ready to deploy broader multinational military action to uphold freedom of navigation. France said it has deployed mine countermeasure forces to the Middle East, including two minesweepers, while Macron said the vessels are ready alongside two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft. Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected the plan on social media, saying security in the strait should be managed by littoral states and warning that “anyone who creates a crisis” would bear the consequences. The report said the strait carries about 20% of global oil shipments and that Oman has said any new arrangements discussed with Iran would comply with international law. The report also said the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 to end nearly four months of conflict and reopen the strait, followed by 60 days of talks on a longer-term peace agreement. Shipping analytics firm Kpler data cited by the report showed Saudi Arabia exported about 34 million barrels of crude via the strait since June 17, up from about 15 million barrels during March 9 to June 17. Vessel-tracking data showed that on July 3-4 at least eight commercial ships approaching the strait near Oman abruptly turned back, with some later shifting to a route closer to Iran. Separately, Iran’s ambassador to China, Fazli, said on July 4 in Beijing that Iran is discussing new shipping management arrangements with Oman and plans to charge transiting vessels a “service fee,” while stressing it would not be a toll and that friendly countries may receive special treatment.