The French and British Defense Ministers are meeting on Tuesday alongside dozens of their counterparts by videoconference, in order to continue discussions aimed at ensuring the security of merchant ships in the Gulf.
A blockage which persists against the backdrop of a ceasefire punctuated by skirmishes and the American military blockade of Iranian ports. The Strait of Hormuz, virtually blockaded by Iran since the start of the war in the Middle East on February 28, continues to be at the heart of strong tensions between Washington and Tehran. Tuesday May 12, the French and British Defense ministries co-lead on this subject a videoconference meeting with around forty of their counterparts, engaged together in a project aimed at securing this strategic maritime passage.
This meeting, which should make it possible to discuss the “military contributions” of each State, comes in the wake of the conference on the initiative for maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on April 17 at the Elysée. That day, “France and the United Kingdom have confirmed that they are establishing an independent and strictly defensive multinational mission, aimed at protecting merchant ships, reassuring commercial maritime transport operators and carrying out mine clearance operations as soon as conditions permit, following an agreement to lasting ceasefire”according to the joint declaration from Paris and London.
Ambitions difficult to implement, at a time when peace negotiations are slipping between the belligerents. American President Donald Trump suspended after just two days his “Freedom Project” aimed at freeing ships in the strait, in the hope of an agreement “complete and final” with Tehran. The American military operation caused a renewed tension, without allowing a real resumption of maritime traffic or progress in the talks.
Faced with a possible French or British deployment in the strait, the Iranian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, threatened a “réponse décisive et immédiate” of Téhéran. “We remind them that in times of war and in times of peace, only the Islamic Republic of Iran can ensure security in this strait and that it will not allow any country to interfere in this area”he warned on the social network
“There was never any question of a deployment”reassured Emmanuel Macron during a trip to Kenya. The objective is to “allow, in a concerted manner with Iran and by ‘deconflicting’ the matter with all the countries in the region and the United States, to ensure as soon as conditions allow us the resumption of maritime traffic”defended the head of state. A “neutral mission” SO, “very distinct from the belligerents”whose objective is “to accompany and secure merchant ships which will transit in the Gulf”according to the Elysee.
The initiative will take shape following a settlement of the conflict, and not at a time when clashes continue despite the ceasefire. “For the moment, we have a ceasefire which is informal and whose durability is not established”underlined the Elysée during a briefing with the media in mid-April. For the French presidency, several “basic conditions” are an incompressible prerequisite: “Be sure that we have an Iranian commitment not to fire on passing boats, and that we have an American commitment not to block any boat leaving or entering the Strait of Hormuz.”
In order to avoid any risk of an Iranian response, “The Iranians must be reassured that this initiative, this multinational force [visant à la sécurisation du détroit] is not directed against them”analyzes Vice-Admiral Michel Olhagaray, former director of the Center for Advanced Military Studies. At this stage, the effective launch of the initiative in the region therefore seems quite “distant”, in the opinion of the specialist.
“Its presence must be admitted by Iran. As long as there is no peace, it must not enter a war zone, it must remain largely away even from the American blockade forces.”
Michel Olhagaray, former director of the Center for Advanced Military Studiesà franceinfo
The Elysée provided details during a new meeting with journalists. “We propose that Iran gains passage for its ships through Hormuz and in return undertakes to negotiate with the Americans on issues of substancea développé la présidence. We propose that, for their part, the Americans lift their blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and, in return, obtain Iran’s commitment to the negotiations. And that, in these conditions, we can deploy a multinational force which will make it possible to secure the convoys which cross the Strait of Hormuz.”
In a context where these conditions are met, how can we ensure the security of a strait so essential for international trade? According to Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, “more than a dozen countries” have signaled their willingness to participate in a force “peaceful and defensive” for free movement in the Strait of Hormuz.
The question of mines, and thus possible demining operations, is particularly part of the discussions. “The passage must be done without danger, in particular the danger of mines. If there are these dangers, it will be necessary to clear mines”appuie Michel Olhagaray. “We don’t want mines. If necessary, we are ready to send mine-hunting boats”specified the Elysée in mid-April, adding that it is “very important to have demining resources nearby”.
Germany, through its Chancellor Friedrich Merz, said it was ready to contribute to possible mine clearance actions, as well as to provide means of maritime reconnaissance. “après la fin des hostilités”. According to Michel Olhagaray, mine hunters are available, but these are resources “precious and rare”whose defense must be ensured.
“Above all, it will require very strong intelligence coverage and minute-by-minute surveillance to see where the dangers are and whether these dangers are advancing.”
Michel Olhagaray, former director of the Center for Advanced Military Studiesà franceinfo
Of the “military escorts” merchant ships are also envisaged once the conditions are met, according to the Elysée. In the 1980s, the US Navy had already escorted oil tankers across the Gulf to protect them from Iranian attacks during the Iran-Iraq War. How could this escort mission work four decades later? Frigates or destroyers could provide support for the ships, according to experts. “Navy surface ships with some air support would be the best way to accomplish this.”notes researcher Jonathan Schroden, interviewed by AFP.
Details could be provided following the meeting of Defense ministers on Tuesday. For France, the idea is “to make the best possible use of the means that are at sea today, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, for the moment when we will have clarity on the restoration of navigation in the strait”. The Elysée notably recalls the dispatch of ten boats, eight frigates and two projection and command vessels (BCP).
“There will certainly be force prepositionings, that will be important. Just like the intelligence of these prepositionings.”
Michel Olhagaray, former director of the Center for Advanced Military Studiesà franceinfo
The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort crossed the Suez Canal on Wednesday, heading towards the Gulf region. The United Kingdom also sent a destroyer, the HMS Dragon. A way to prepare for the launch of the initiative, when the time comes? “We collectively want to send a signal that not only are we ready to secure the Strait of Hormuz, but we are also capable of it.”defending the Elysée.
