France has begun tentative discussions with Iran aimed at securing safe passage for its commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the Gulf continue to disrupt global shipping routes.
According to a report by the Financial Times, the talks come amid growing concern among European governments about the safety of oil and gas shipments passing through the strategic waterway.
Officials familiar with the negotiations said Italy had also been involved in discussions seeking to restore the flow of energy exports affected by the escalating conflict in the Gulf. However, the Italian government strongly denied any participation in such talks.
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France declined to confirm the negotiations directly but pointed to a recent statement by Emmanuel Macron indicating that he had spoken with Iran’s president over the weekend.
The diplomatic outreach comes after a series of Iranian attacks on oil tankers and a pledge by Iran’s new supreme leader to keep the entrance to the Gulf effectively closed until attacks on the country cease.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. A significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes through the channel each day.
Disruption to traffic through the strait has already unsettled global energy markets and raised fears of a prolonged supply crisis.
Two officials briefed on the discussions cautioned that negotiations remain at an early stage and that there is no certainty Iran will agree to any arrangement guaranteeing safe passage.
Even if a deal were reached, it could create diplomatic tensions with the United States.
According to officials, any potential agreement would likely apply only to European shipping and would not extend to American vessels or imports.
Such an arrangement could prove controversial for Donald Trump, whose administration has taken a hardline stance toward Tehran and is leading military operations in the region.
Analysts say the talks highlight growing divisions among Western allies over how to manage the conflict and protect energy supplies while the war in the Gulf continues.
