International

Iran Warns Starmer and Macron: Security of Hormuz is Responsibility of Coastal States, Not for Military Show

Date of Publication: July 4, 2026 23:34 KSA

Iran yesterday warned against any military moves by external forces in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the security of the strategic waterway lies with the coastal states, in response to a British-French announcement about readiness to deploy a multinational military mission to support freedom of navigation in the strait.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said via platform "X" that the Strait of Hormuz is "not an arena for military displays by powers coming from outside the region." He stressed that Tehran, as "the guarantor of the strait's security," warns against any military movement there, and that those he described as "crisis-makers" will bear the consequences of any adventures, calling it a "serious warning."

The Iranian stance came after a joint statement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, in which they affirmed their countries' readiness to deploy a multinational military mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the strait as a vital artery for the global economy and stressing the importance of ensuring safe passage for ships. They also announced an agreement by the Sultanate of Oman with London and Paris to cooperate to ensure navigation security in its territorial waters, amid the tensions witnessed in the strait during the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel, which affected global energy markets.

Iran Strait of Hormuz