A French aircraft carrier is currently en route to the Red Sea, preparing for a potential mission aimed at bolstering “confidence among shipowners” operating in the Strait of Hormuz. This strategically vital waterway has faced significant disruptions amidst the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
The French Ministry of Armed Forces confirmed Wednesday that the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle is heading towards the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime choke point through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s traded oil passed before the current tensions escalated.
French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is reportedly spearheading a multinational initiative to restore freedom of navigation in the strait. They emphasize that this mission would be purely defensive and would only be deployed once the broader conflict concludes. Macron stated on X that the mission “may help restore confidence among shipowners and insurers” and “remains distinct from the parties at war.”
In a diplomatic push, Macron held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday and intends to engage with United States President Donald Trump on the matter. Macron believes that “a return to calm in the Strait will help advance negotiations on nuclear issues, ballistic matters, and the regional situation,” asserting that “Europeans … will play their part.”
France is presenting this mission as a mutually beneficial solution for both Iran and the US. A French presidency official told AFP that the proposal involves Iran gaining passage for its vessels through the strait in exchange for committing to negotiations with the Americans on nuclear materials, missiles, and regional issues. Concurrently, the US would lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in return for Iran’s commitment to these negotiations.
This announcement coincides with Tehran’s review of a US proposal that President Trump suggests could bring an end to the conflict. While Trump hinted at progress in negotiations on Wednesday, he also issued a warning, threatening to resume bombing if Tehran does not accept the US plan. Iran, however, downplayed reports of an imminent agreement, stating it has yet to present its official response to Pakistani mediators.
Despite Trump frequently highlighting the prospect of a peace agreement, significant disagreements persist between the two sides, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program and its control over the strait. Reuters, citing a Pakistani source and another individual briefed on the mediation, reported that the parties were nearing an agreement on a one-page memorandum to formally conclude the conflict. Similarly, US media outlet Axios indicated that both sides were “getting close” to a memorandum, which would reportedly see Iran agree not to develop a nuclear weapon and halt uranium enrichment for at least 12 years. In return, the US would lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, with both sides agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days of signing.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated that Tehran has not yet provided its response to the US proposal, confirming that “the investigation into the exchanged texts is ongoing.”
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