UK, France agree with Oman to ensure safety of its territorial waters
Ships are seen along the Gulf of Oman on June 28, 2026, off the coast of Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in the Emirate of Sharjah. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images) /
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Oman has agreed to work with Britain and France to ensure the Gulf nation’s territorial waters are safe for navigation, as oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have increased since the United States and Iran signed a deal to reopen the crucial sea route last month, the United Kingdom said on Saturday.
“The UK and France are also ready to deploy the broader Multinational Military Mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: He made a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron.
“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for the global economy. Restoring the safe passage of ships of all nations through the Strait is a global concern,” the statement said. The statement was included.
France said it was deploying mine countermeasures to the Middle East, including two mine-hunting ships.
“These assets, accompanied by two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft, are ready to contribute, together with our partners, to the full resumption of navigation and ensuring traffic safety in the Strait of Hormuz.” Macron said in his statement: In X.
UK, France and more than two dozen countries said in may They said they would support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as part of the Multinational Military Mission for the waterway.
Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to CNBC’s emailed request for comment on Saturday.
Iranian warned against England and France took action.
“The Strait of Hormuz is not a stage for the military display of extra-regional forces,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibabadi said in a post on channel X.
Garibabadi said, “The security of Hormuz is in the hands of the coastal states; those who created the crisis will be held responsible for the consequences of their adventurism; this is a serious warning.” he said.
key tool
Located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, across the strait from Iran, Oman is holding joint talks with Iran on the new maritime security order. reports He said that the two countries could press for the determination of transit fees.
Oman has said any deal would comply with international law, but the prospect of establishing a financial system on a waterway that processes about 20% of the world’s oil has raised alarm.
The Gulf nation has served as a key intermediary in regional crises and remains one of the few countries that both Tehran and Washington trust. Washington wants to ensure flows through the strait that were blocked during the war triggered a global energy crisis.
Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman met Starmer in London on Thursday. Oman’s state news agency said the two spoke about reducing conflict in the Middle East and “securing shipping in the Gulf’s strategic waterways.” to mail In X.
The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 to end the nearly four-month war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, beginning 60 days of negotiations to work on a permanent peace agreement.
Since then, oil shipments have increased. According to data from commercial intelligence firm Kpler, Saudi Arabia has shipped approximately 34 million barrels of oil via Hormuz since June 17. Riyadh’s exports in the two weeks to July 2 were more than double the 15 million barrels the kingdom shipped through the strait from March 9 to June 17.
Benchmark Brent crude oil prices have fallen 39% from their March highs.
Brent crude oil price per barrel since the beginning of the year.
The United States has strongly opposed any toll on the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump’s administration previously said “aggressively“Sanction Oman if it is thought to have helped Iran set up a pricing system.
“All nations should unequivocally reject any effort by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. in question In a post published on X on May 28.
According to the terms of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, Tehran will not be able to impose tolls on ships during the 60-day negotiations to find a permanent solution.
In an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Trump said that “no ship reached Iran” and claimed that the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war had not been breached.
“It was a wall of steel,” he said.
But, according to maritime industry information service Lloyd’s List.The blockade was violated many times by the “Iranian shadow fleet”.
Iran has exported more than 40 million barrels of crude oil since the United States lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports and is now selling the oil at prices about 20% higher than before the war, Iranian Parliament Speaker and Chief Negotiator Mohammad Bagir Ghalibaf said on Tuesday.
