Overview
- On Friday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron said Oman agreed to cooperate and that the UK and France stand ready to lead a wider Multinational Military Mission to ensure safe navigation in Omani territorial waters.
- France has already deployed mine‑countermeasure ships plus frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft to the region and says those assets are ready to support demining and escort operations.
- Iran’s deputy foreign minister warned against any extra‑regional military presence and insisted coastal states are the guarantors of Hormuz security, a stance that has coincided with at least eight vessels turning back or rerouting closer to Iran.
- Iran’s ambassador to China said Tehran plans to charge service fees for transits and to give ‘special considerations’ to friendly countries, a proposal the United States rejects and which could clash with the 60‑day fee‑free window of the June memorandum of understanding.
- Navigation remains fragile because minefields are uncleared, demining and negotiations have stalled, IMO corridor measures have been suspended at times, and high insurance and crew risk aversion leave many ships waiting or diverting with immediate implications for global energy flows.