War in the Middle East: Iran reports discussions with European countries to cross the Strait of Hormuz

On Saturday, the head of the parliamentary committee on national security indicated that Iran had “established a professional traffic management mechanism” in the Strait of Hormuz, which would soon be operational.

Towards unblocking the Strait of Hormuz? Iran said on Saturday that European countries were in discussions with Tehran to obtain authorizations to cross this strategic route of global oil trade blocked since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East.

“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 Guard Navy” to cross the passage, the television announced of State without specifying the names of these countries.

This announcement comes as the French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle and its escort arrived “in the zone” in the Arabian Sea, where they are prepositioned in the event of the triggering of a “neutral” mission to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, announced Friday the French Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces, Alice Rufo.

The Iranian blockade of this sea route through which a fifth of world oil production usually passes is disrupting world markets and giving Tehran strategic leverage.

“A professional traffic management mechanism”

In the morning, the head of the parliamentary committee 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 ships and parties cooperating with Iran will benefit,” he stressed, adding that “necessary fees will be collected for specialized services.” “The route will remain closed to operators of the so-called project liberté “, he said, in reference to a temporary American military operation aimed at guiding commercial ships blocked in the strait.

The United States maintains its own blockade of Iranian ports despite the fragile ceasefire that came into force on April 8. On Thursday, Iran had already announced that its naval forces had authorized the passage of “more than 30 ships” Chinese through the Strait of Hormuz. China is the main importer of Iranian oil.