UK and France agree with Oman to ensure safety of its territorial waters

Source: CBS News

Published Sat, Jul 4 2026 5:29 AM EDT Updated 2 Hours Ago


Oman has agreed to work with the U.K. and France to ensure the Gulf country’s territorial waters are safe for navigation, the U.K. said on Saturday, as oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz pick up since the U.S. and Iran signed an agreement last month to reopen the crucial sea lane.

“The U.K. and France also stand ready to deploy the wider Multinational Military Mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron. “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 read.

France said it has deployed mine countermeasures to the Middle East, including two mine-hunting ships.

“Accompanied by two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft, these assets are ready to contribute, alongside our partners, to the full resumption of navigation and to ensure the safety of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron said in a statement on X.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/04/uk-france-agree-with-oman-to-ensure-safety-of-its-territorial-waters.html