ABU DHABI: France’s foreign minister has stated that a newly announced United States-led maritime coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz will work alongside – rather than compete with – an existing initiative spearheaded by France and the United Kingdom.
Speaking during a visit to Abu Dhabi as part of a broader regional tour on Friday, Jean-Noël Barrot said he had briefed Gulf partners on the joint UK-France mission, describing it as being at an “advanced” stage of preparation.
His remarks came after a US official confirmed that Washington is launching a separate international effort, reportedly named the “Maritime Freedom Construct”, aimed at restoring the flow of commercial shipping through the strategically vital waterway, according to AFP.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies, typically carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
However, ongoing tensions linked to the Middle East conflict have led to its effective blockade by Iran, disrupting trade routes and driving energy prices sharply higher.
Barrot emphasised that the American initiative differs in scope and structure from the European-led mission, but ultimately serves a complementary purpose.
“The US mission is not of the same nature as the one we established… it comes as a form of complement,” he said, adding that it should not be viewed as a competing framework. “It is not in competition with the initiative we have launched and on which we remain focused.”
France and the United Kingdom have been at the forefront of diplomatic and operational discussions on a separate maritime security arrangement.
According to Barrot, planning for that mission has been completed, and consultations with regional stakeholders are ongoing. He noted that more than 50 countries have already participated in related talks.
The French minister’s Gulf tour has included stops in Saudi Arabia and Oman, where he presented the operational concept of the European-led mission to key regional allies.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Washington is actively encouraging international participation in its own initiative. The Wall Street Journal has indicated that a diplomatic cable instructed US embassies worldwide to urge host governments to join the coalition effort.
Barrot declined to confirm whether France would formally take part in the US-led operation, saying it was too early to comment on potential involvement.
The developments come amid heightened geopolitical strain in the region. Donald Trump has previously criticised allies for what he described as insufficient support in the US-Israel confrontation with Iran, while also calling on oil-dependent nations to take greater responsibility for ensuring maritime security in the strait.
Tehran, for its part, has maintained that it will not reopen the waterway while its ports remain under US blockade. The standoff has had far-reaching consequences for global markets, with oil prices surging to their highest levels in four years and supply chains facing increasing pressure.
Efforts by multiple international actors to restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz underscore the urgency of stabilising one of the world’s most crucial energy corridors amid escalating regional tensions.
