Iran kills France-Oman plan to clear Strait of Hormuz

On June 29, France thought it had found a way back into the Strait of Hormuz. French President Emmanuel Macron and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said agreed in Paris to clear the strait’s underwater mines. They promised “free and unconditional” passage for ships. But Tehran quickly killed the idea. Iran’s deputy foreign minister announced that Iran would demine the strait alone. No foreign help would be accepted. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway in the Persian Gulf. About 20% of the world’s oil passes through it. Mines in the strait can block or destroy ships, threatening global oil supplies. France and Oman had hoped to secure safe passage for commercial vessels. Iran’s rejection shows that Europe’s efforts to build influence in the Gulf have failed. The region remains under Iran’s control for security matters. The plan is now dead. Europe’s Gulf drift has run out of road.