Towards a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz? Iran claimed on Saturday that European countries were in discussions with Tehran to obtain permission to cross this strategic global oil trade route that has been blocked since the conflict in the Middle East began.
“After the passage of ships from East Asian countries, including China, Japan, and Pakistan, we received information today that Europeans have started negotiations with the Revolutionary Guards’ navy to cross the passage,” announced the state television without specifying the names of these countries.
This announcement comes as the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort arrived “on station” in the Arabian Sea, where they are pre-positioned in case of a “neutral” mission to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, announced French Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo on Friday.
The Iranian blocking of this maritime route through which a fifth of the world’s oil production usually transits disrupts global markets and gives Tehran a strategic leverage.
“In the morning, the head of the parliamentary commission on national security, Ebrahim Azizi, indicated that the country had established a ‘professional traffic management mechanism’ in the Strait of Hormuz, which would soon be operational.”
“In this process, only commercial vessels and parties cooperating with Iran will benefit,” he emphasized, adding that “necessary fees will be charged for specialized services.” “The passage will remain closed to operators of the so-called ‘freedom’ project,” he stated, referring to a temporary American military operation aimed at guiding blocked commercial vessels in the strait.
The United States maintains its own blockade of Iranian ports despite the fragile ceasefire in place since April 8. On Thursday, Iran had already announced that its naval forces had allowed the passage of “over 30 Chinese ships” through the Strait of Hormuz. China is the main importer of Iranian oil.
[Context: Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway for global oil trade. Fact Check: The presence of French and American military forces in the region is confirmed.]
