France, in coordination with the United States, has begun drafting a UN Security Council resolution aimed at establishing an international mission to restore shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats said on Tuesday, in a move focused on protecting commercial vessels and ensuring access to energy supplies.
French proposal separates navigation from tensions
The draft is based on separating the security of the strait from broader tensions with Iran, while emphasising the shared interests of all countries in safeguarding freedom of navigation. Under the proposal, UN member states would coordinate efforts to protect commercial transit through the strait, without adopting a confrontational position towards Iran, criticising the United States or linking the issue to other regional disputes.
The diplomats said Paris hoped to circulate the draft resolution among Security Council members soon, without specifying a date. A French diplomatic source said France wanted to work with the Americans and other partners to secure a UN resolution guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Macron and Trump discuss diplomatic solutions
The move followed talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and his US counterpart Donald Trump on Monday evening, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings. Macron said after the meeting: "Several options were discussed." The French president added: "We will work on diplomatic solutions in the coming hours, which could make it possible—even without reaching a comprehensive agreement—to find ways to allow more container ships and oil tankers to pass."
Paris had previously tried to formulate a resolution concerning navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but was unable to secure the support of China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council with veto power.
However, the global rise in oil prices, along with fears that advances by the Ansar Allah group, known as the Houthis, in Yemen could threaten the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, are bolstering hopes that a settlement may be reached this time.
