France and Britain send minehunters to protect Strait of Hormuz with Oman's help

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France has deployed two mine‑countermeasure vessels, escorted by two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft, to the Strait of Hormuz to help restore safe navigation.

The United Kingdom will cooperate with France and the Sultanate of Oman, which has agreed to work with both countries to secure its territorial waters. Britain and France said they are ready to launch a wider multinational mission if required.

Macron added that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is returning to its home port in Toulon while the mine‑countermeasure forces remain on standby in the region. In a joint statement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Macron stressed the strait’s importance for the global economy and reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and international law.

The deployment follows a June 17 memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran that reaffirmed freedom of navigation, even as Iran has rejected an international marine mission in the strait.