Russia says UK-France Hormuz mission plan ‘unworkable’

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Thursday that a proposed “multinational mission” to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, put forward by France and the United Kingdom, is “unworkable.” She argued that Paris is making “no attempt” to coordinate its ideas with the warring parties, particularly Iran.

Moscow accuses Paris of political posturing

“Clearly, in its current form, the project is unworkable,” Zakharova said at a media briefing in Moscow. “One gets the impression that in Paris, while simulating vigorous diplomatic activity, the top priority is to create the appearance of participation in international processes.” She claimed the initiative is aimed at giving France “special political weight in global affairs, which Paris has essentially lost in recent years.”

Macron and Starmer to co-chair Hormuz conference

Her remarks come as French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to co-chair a conference in Paris on Friday aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The French presidency said the conference will bring together “non-belligerent countries willing to contribute” to a “multinational and purely defensive mission.” The initiative was first voiced by Macron last month. Meanwhile, US-Iran talks in Islamabad over the weekend ended inconclusively, followed by a US naval blockade of the strait imposed Monday.