Iran rejected France's proposal for mine-clearing cooperation in the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a stern warning to Paris against provocation.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in a statement on the social media platform X that, under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, mine-clearing operations in this strategic waterway will be carried out "only by Iran" and no other country can be involved.
Gharibabadi emphasized that the current situation in the strait is "tense and complicated," adding, "We strongly advise France not to complicate the situation further with its provocations."
The statement came in response to French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement, following a meeting in Paris with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, that the two countries would jointly conduct mine-clearing activities in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has repeatedly stated that navigation management, mine-clearing operations and temporary maritime regulations in the Strait of Hormuz fall under the coordination of Iran as the coastal state under Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy transit points, has been at the center of regional tensions following an agreement between Iran and the United States on the restoration of maritime passages that took effect on June 18.