France and UK Lead Multinational Force to Secure Shipping in Strait of Hormuz with Oman's Cooperation

France and the United Kingdom announced on July 3, 2026, their readiness to lead a multinational military force to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route. This initiative aims to restore regular maritime traffic in the strategic waterway. In a joint statement, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the strait's vital importance to the global economy and the need for safe passage of vessels from all nations.

The Sultanate of Oman has agreed to collaborate with France and the UK to safeguard navigation within its territorial waters as part of these efforts. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability, respect for sovereignty, and continued cooperation with partners to maintain maritime security and freedom of navigation under international law.

President Macron also tweeted that France has deployed specialized mine-clearing assets to the Middle East, including two minehunters, accompanied by two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft. These forces are prepared to assist partners in fully restoring safe navigation and securing the Strait of Hormuz.

So far, Omani authorities have not officially responded to the joint announcement or the outlined agreements. Meanwhile, recent reports from The Washington Post indicate that Iran and Oman are advancing a plan to charge fees to ships passing through the strait, despite public U.S. opposition. Oman has formally proposed this to the U.S. and other Western countries, but the U.S. has expressed reservations and plans to discuss them with Omani officials. If implemented, this would mark a significant shift in the strait's status, which has long been an international free passage route for oil and gas tankers traveling from the Persian Gulf to global markets without transit fees.