A French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is advancing south of the Suez Canal towards Strait of Hormuz to prepare for a defensive mission aimed at restoring safe navigation through the strategically vital waterway.
The deployment of the aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, comes as Tehran reviews a United States proposal that President Donald Trump suggests could bring the ongoing war to a conclusion.
The strait, which previously handled approximately 20 per cent of global oil trade, has been effectively blocked during the US-Israel war on Iran.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are spearheading the multinational mission.
President Macron stated the initiative is intended to be “entirely defensive” and would only be deployed once the conflict has ended.
Writing on the social media platform X, Macron noted that the move “may help restore confidence among shipowners and insurers” while remaining “distinct from the parties at war”.
The French president, who held discussions with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday, also intends to raise the matter with US President Donald Trump.
Macron argued that a return to stability in the strait would facilitate broader negotiations regarding nuclear issues and regional security.
Under the French proposal, Iran would be granted passage for its ships through the strait in exchange for a commitment to negotiate on nuclear materials and ballistic missiles. In return, the United States would lift its blockade of the waterway.
Negotiation Status while president Trump has signalled progress, describing talks as “very good” and a deal as “very possible,” he has simultaneously threatened to resume bombing if Tehran rejects the US plan.
Reports indicate the two sides are close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum to formally end the conflict.
Under the proposed terms, Iran would reportedly agree to halt uranium enrichment for at least 12 years and pledge not to develop nuclear weapons.
In exchange, the US would lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. The agreement would require both parties to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days of signing.
However, Tehran has played down reports of an imminent deal. Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that “the investigation into the exchanged texts is ongoing” and that a formal response has yet to be presented to Pakistani mediators.
