Iran has issued a warning to the United Kingdom and France after the two countries announced plans to work with Oman to help safeguard navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Saturday, July 4, that Tehran would not accept what it described as military involvement by countries from outside the region, warning that any such moves could have consequences.
Iran Rejects Foreign Military Presence in Strait of Hormuz
“The Strait of Hormuz is not a theater for the military display of extra-regional powers,” Gharibabadi wrote on X.
He said Iran considers itself responsible for helping maintain security in the waterway and warned that Tehran would closely monitor any military activity in the area.
“Iran, as the responsible power and guarantor of the Strait’s security, warns with sensitivity to any military movement in this waterway,” he said.
Tehran Says Coastal States Should Control Security
Gharibabadi added that responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz belongs to the countries bordering it.
“The security of Hormuz lies with the coastal states; the crisis-makers will be held accountable for the consequences of their adventurism,” he wrote, describing the statement as “a serious warning.”
His remarks came after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement describing their intention to work with Oman to protect shipping through the waterway.
“The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for the global economy. Restoring safe transit for ships of all nations through the Strait is a matter of global concern,” the statement said.
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The two governments said Oman had agreed to cooperate with Britain and France to ensure that navigation through its territorial waters remains safe.
“The Sultanate of Oman has agreed to work with the United Kingdom and France to ensure that its sovereign territorial waters are safe for navigation,” the statement added.
The UK and France also reaffirmed what they described as a joint commitment to regional peace, freedom of navigation and international law.
“The United Kingdom and France reaffirm their shared commitment to regional stability, respect for the sovereignty of all States, and their willingness to maintain close cooperation with their partners in order to uphold global security, freedom of navigation and international law,” the statement said.
Dispute Over Control of the Vital Shipping Route
This latest exchange comes as negotiations continue over the future management of the Strait of Hormuz following a temporary 60-day arrangement reached after recent tensions in the region.
Iran has maintained that it intends to resume charging transit fees for vessels using the strait once the current pause expires.
The proposal has become a major point of disagreement between Tehran and Western governments.
Oman and Iran Hold Talks on Future Management
Iran borders the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman controls territory along the southern side.
The two countries have begun discussions over how the waterway should be managed once the temporary arrangement ends.
Oman has publicly supported the long-standing position of the United States that international shipping should continue to pass through the strait without additional transit charges.
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Iran, however, argues that it should play a larger role in managing the route alongside Oman and has insisted that vessels should pay a fee to use the passage.
The disagreement has complicated diplomatic discussions, including talks involving Iran’s nuclear program.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters to the Global Economy
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
Roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a concern for energy markets and international trade.
Commercial shipping through the strait declined sharply amid recent regional tensions, as attacks and security threats disrupted maritime traffic.
Although some ships have resumed using the route following the latest understanding between the United States and Iran, traffic remains below levels seen before the recent crisis.
