Iran rejects France-Oman demining plan for Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices have gained after Iran rejected any third-party interference on clearing mines laid in the Strait of Hormuz.

IMAGE: Getty Images

Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed a collaboration between France and Oman with international partners on demining the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement came after the International Maritime Organization (IMO) suspended the planned evacuation of commercial vessels and seafarers stranded in the region.

Iran has dismissed these efforts, asserting that “there is no need for any other party to intervene in this issue”.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said such intervention breaches the 60-day peace accord signed between Iran and US President Donald Trump.

“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,” Gharibabadi wrote on social media platform X.

“We strongly advise France not to complicate it further with its provocations,” he added.

France and the UK have previously led the initiative to establish a maritime mission aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz – a critical artery for global oil trade.

Meanwhile, the global oil market is expected to remain cautious ahead of the US-Iran talks scheduled to take place in Doha later this week, as the weekend’s exchange of fire between the two countries has highlighted how fragile the temporary peace accord is.

While the 60-day agreement required Washington and Tehran to implement a 14-point memorandum concerning navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and a permanent truce, both sides have frequently traded accusations of violating the terms.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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