France and Oman have agreed to launch joint mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron announced following talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Paris.
The commitment marks a direct escalation in diplomatic efforts to secure one of the world’s most vital energy transit routes, which has seen traffic volumes plummet in recent days.
The agreement comes as shipping activity in the strait has dropped to 108 vessels over a three-day period, reflecting the severe disruption caused by the ongoing closure and security risks.
For global energy markets, the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical bottleneck, handling a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Any progress in de-mining the corridor could alleviate immediate supply chain fears and support a stabilization in freight rates and energy prices.
Macron and the Sultan also discussed broader strategies to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, signaling a coordinated diplomatic push to restore normalcy to regional trade.