KEY POINTS
- France and Italy have reportedly opened diplomatic channels with Iran to ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating Middle East tensions.
- Global oil markets have surged as shipping disruptions threaten supplies, with Brent crude exceeding $100 per barrel.
- The International Energy Agency plans a historic release of 400 million barrels of emergency oil reserves to stabilise global energy markets.
France and Italy have reportedly initiated diplomatic contacts with Iran in an effort to ensure the safe passage of their commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime corridor for global energy supplies.
According to a report by Reuters citing the Financial Times, both European nations have opened channels of communication with Tehran as tensions escalate in the Middle East. However, while France acknowledged maintaining communication lines with Iran, Italy declined to confirm the report.
The development comes as maritime traffic across the Gulf region and the narrow Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly following military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28. The escalation has heightened security concerns across the region and disrupted shipping routes used for transporting a large share of the world’s oil.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments, making any disruption to navigation through the passage a major concern for energy markets and global trade.
Italy denies exclusive shipping negotiations
An official from Italy’s foreign ministry rejected suggestions that Rome was negotiating a special arrangement to protect only its merchant fleet.
The official explained that Italy’s diplomatic engagement with regional actors is focused on promoting broader military de-escalation rather than securing preferential treatment for specific national vessels.
“In their diplomatic contacts, Italian leaders want to favour the conditions for a general military de-escalation, but there is no under-the-table negotiation aimed at preserving only some merchant ships at the expense of others,” the official stated.
A French government source also confirmed that Paris maintains open diplomatic channels with Tehran but declined to provide further details on the reported negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Élysée Palace, the official residence and office of the French president, did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
As tensions persist, France is also strengthening its military posture in nearby strategic waterways.
According to Reuters, Paris is deploying approximately a dozen naval vessels, including its aircraft carrier strike group, across the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, with potential deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. The move is intended to provide defensive support to allied forces and safeguard maritime security in the region.
