FT: EU Discusses Unblocking The Strait Of Hormuz With Iran

France and Italy want to agree on safe passage of ships.

Several European countries are holding preliminary talks with Tehran on an agreement that would guarantee safe passage of their ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The British newspaper Financial Times reported this on Friday, March 13, citing sources familiar with the discussions, which aim to resume energy supplies from the Persian Gulf.

According to two unnamed officials, France is involved in the talks. One of them noted that Italy has also tried to start discussions with Tehran on the issue. Both interlocutors, however, emphasized that there was no guarantee that the talks would progress or that Iran was even willing to discuss the topic.

The Italian government denied the same day that talks with Iran had begun. No "bilateral talks or direct contacts with Iran on the issue of ensuring the passage of Italian ships through the Strait of Hormuz," sources close to the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni told dpa news agency.

The Italian Foreign Ministry sources indicated that diplomatic contacts were seeking "to create conditions for a general military de-escalation, but there are no behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at preserving only some merchant ships at the expense of others."

The Elysee Palace did not respond to dpa's request for comment. French President Emmanuel Macron has previously said Paris is ready to participate in escorting ships if the conflict subsides.

Fears of rising energy prices due to the Strait blockade

European governments worry that supply disruptions due to the prolonged blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to further increases in energy prices for businesses and households, exacerbating the continent's economic problems and increasing the burden on national budgets, the FT notes.

Italy, France and Greece have previously deployed their warships in the Red Sea as part of the European Union's Aspides naval mission. However, so far no European fleet, according to the publication's sources, is ready to escort ships through the strait for fear of escalation of the conflict.

There is no unity within the European Union on the issue of negotiations with Iran

A number of European countries have opposed attempts to establish a dialog with Iran, an official said. Which states were in question, he did not specify. "Some people think we need to talk to the Iranians. But [EU countries] have completely different views on this, which complicates the situation," the interlocutor said.

British officials say Britain is not in direct talks with Iran over access to the strait. But Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is discussing issues of ensuring uninterrupted oil supplies with Gulf countries.

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