France plans to maintain naval presence in Strait of Hormuz after conflict

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans for a “purely defensive” mission to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz once the US-Israeli war on Iran ends. The mission aims to gradually reopen the key Gulf waterway amid rising oil prices.

Macron stated that both European and non-European countries must prepare for this “purely escort mission,” which will enable the safe passage of container ships and tankers as soon as possible after the conflict concludes. No further details were provided.

The announcement comes as global oil prices have surged due to continued attacks by the US and Israel against Iran, as well as retaliatory Iranian missile and drone strikes across the region. The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil supplies pass, has been effectively shut down.

In response to Macron’s comments, Ali Larijani, a top Iranian security official, stated that it is unlikely that any security will be achieved in the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing conflict. Larijani also expressed skepticism about plans designed by countries that supported the war and contributed to its escalation.

Several European countries, including France, the UK, and Greece, have sent military assets to Cyprus following an Iranian-made drone attack on a British base on the island. Greece has dispatched fighter planes and frigates to patrol offshore Cyprus, while France has deployed a French frigate to bolster the country’s defenses.

Macron also announced plans to deploy eight warships, two helicopter carriers, and the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Eastern Mediterranean and wider Middle East region. The objective is to maintain a strictly defensive stance alongside countries attacked by Iran, ensuring credibility and contributing to regional de-escalation.

Finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries met in Brussels on Monday to discuss how to respond to the rising oil prices. Crude oil prices have increased by about 50 percent since the US and Israel launched the war last month, with international benchmark Brent crude prices surpassing $100 a barrel on Monday.

The G7 ministers did not make a decision on the potential release of emergency oil stocks amid the war. Paul Hickin, editor-in-chief at Petroleum Economist, stated that getting the Strait of Hormuz reopened is the main priority, which will not happen until there is a resolution to the conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera