French aircraft carrier steams toward Hormuz as European-led maritime mission takes shape
Al Jazeera Staff
France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway blockaded during the US-Israel war with Iran, for a defensive mission to restore maritime safety. Iran says it is reviewing a US proposal that President Trump claims could end the conflict, though Tehran denies a deal is imminent.
A French aircraft carrier is moving south through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, preparing for a defensive mission to restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz — the strategic waterway that has been effectively blockaded amid the US-Israel war with Iran.
France's Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that the nuclear-powered carrier Charles de Gaulle is en route to the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly 20% of the world's traded crude oil once passed before the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are leading a multinational effort to restore freedom of navigation through the strait, which they describe as entirely defensive and only to be deployed after the war ends.
“It can help restore confidence among shipowners and insurance companies,” Macron wrote on X, stressing the mission is “separate from the belligerents.”
Macron, who spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday, said he also plans to discuss the issue with US President Donald Trump.
“Easing the situation in the strait will help advance negotiations on the nuclear, missile and regional issues,” Macron wrote, adding: “Europeans will play their role.”
France is framing the mission as a win-win solution for both Iran and the US, aimed at encouraging them to reach an agreement.
“What we are proposing is that Iran gains passage through the strait for its ships, and in return commits to negotiate with the US on nuclear material, missiles and regional issues; and we propose that the US lifts the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and in return gains a commitment from Iran to negotiate,” a French official told AFP.
The announcement came as Tehran said it is reviewing a US proposal that Trump claims could end the war. Trump signaled progress in negotiations Wednesday, but simultaneously threatened to resume bombing if Tehran does not accept the American plan.
Iran denied reports that a deal was imminent, saying it has not yet responded to Pakistani intermediaries. Trump frequently speaks of the prospect of reaching a deal to end the war, but the two sides remain at odds on many issues, from Iran's nuclear program to control of the strait.
Reuters, citing a Pakistani source and another person familiar with the mediation process, reported that the two sides are nearing agreement on a one-page memorandum of understanding to formally end the conflict. US media outlet Axios also reported that the two sides are “getting closer” to an agreement in the form of a memorandum, under which Iran would agree not to develop nuclear weapons and to halt uranium enrichment for at least 12 years. In return, the US would lift sanctions, release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, and both sides would agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days of signing.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran has not yet responded to the US proposal and “the review of exchanged documents is ongoing.”
