Iran rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to cooperate on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, warning Paris against intervening in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed the bid to have a group of countries, including France and the UK, work together to demine the waterway, arguing it violated the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the United States.
In a post on his X account, Gharibabadi said that according to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, demining will be carried out solely by Iran and not by any other country, and Iran will not allow such a thing in principle.
ماکرون گفته در مین زدایی از تنگه هرمز، با هماهنگی شرکایش، همکاری میکند. طبق یادداشت تفاهم اسلام آباد، مین زدایی صرفا توسط ایران انجام میشود و نه هیچ کشور دیگری، اصولا اجازه چنین کاری را هم نمیدهیم. شرایط حساس و پیچیده است. توصیه اکید میکنیم فرانسه آنرا با تحریکاتش پیچیده تر نکند. pic.twitter.com/uad9ebFu1a
— Gharibabadi (@Gharibabadi) June 29, 2026
Calling the situation “sensitive and complex,” he added: “We strongly advise France not to complicate it further with its provocations.”
Macron stated that France, together with Oman and partners, will participate in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz to "ensure freedom of navigation without any conditions". pic.twitter.com/9pr8fbyMHY
— S p r i n t e r (@SprinterPress) June 29, 2026
On the other hand, stated that the MOU with the US is seeing progress on some of its provisions, but that there are violations of the agreed-upon commitments regarding the situation in Lebanon.
He emphasized that the war there must end and that Israeli forces must withdraw from Lebanese territory.
Gharibabadi explained that Iran has formed a special working group to monitor the implementation of the MOU, saying, “We are monitoring all instances of breach and violation of the commitments.”
Source: Iranian media (translated and edited by Al-Manar)