Iran insists on sole control over Strait of Hormuz de-mining, warns France against ‘Provocations’

Iran has firmly asserted that the removal of mines from the Strait of Hormuz is to be carried out solely by Tehran, as stipulated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States.

Iran has firmly asserted that the removal of mines from the Strait of Hormuz is to be carried out solely by Tehran, as stipulated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi issued the warning in response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments about potential international cooperation on de-mining efforts.

In a post on X, Gharibabadi referenced Macron’s statement that France and Oman were working together to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and would cooperate with their partners on clearing mines from the strait. “The situation is sensitive and complex, we strongly advise France not to complicate it further with its provocations,” Gharibabadi wrote, emphasizing that under the Islamabad MoU, de-mining operations are an exclusive Iranian responsibility.

The exchange highlights growing tensions between Tehran and Paris over the management of the strategic waterway, through which approximately 20 per cent of global oil supplies pass. The strait was effectively blockaded during the recent US-Israeli hostilities with Iran, and while shipping traffic has partially recovered, the presence of mines has remained a significant concern for international maritime security. The US has opened a separate route to the south and has been escorting ships through it, but Iran’s insistence on exclusive control over de-mining operations underscores its determination to maintain sovereignty over its territorial waters.

France’s interest in the strait reflects broader European concerns about energy security and freedom of navigation. Macron’s comments suggested a willingness to engage in multilateral efforts to clear the waterway, but Gharibabadi’s swift rejection signals Tehran’s intent to limit foreign involvement in what it considers a matter of national security. The warning also serves as a reminder that despite the diplomatic progress represented by the Islamabad MoU, significant tensions remain between Iran and Western powers.

The dispute over de-mining operations adds to the list of unresolved issues that negotiators must address within the 60-day negotiating period established by the interim agreement. As the US and Iran continue technical talks in Switzerland, the question of who controls the strait’s security remains a flashpoint. For now, Iran has made its position clear the strait is Iranian territory, and its clearance is an Iranian responsibility, with no room for French or other foreign intervention. Whether France heeds this warning remains to be seen.