By Sofiat Adenekan -Abdul
French President, Emmanuel Macron, has warned Iran against imposing tolls on vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that freedom of navigation along the strategic waterway must be maintained.
Macron made the remarks ahead of the G7 Summit amid reports that Tehran included maritime service charges in a proposed agreement with the United States aimed at ending tensions in the Middle East and reopening the key shipping route.
The French leader said France and the United Kingdom stand ready to support efforts to reopen the Strait, noting that France’s aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is on standby for rapid deployment if required.
According to Macron, European nations are keen to see the waterway reopened to help lower global energy prices and ease pressure on international markets.
He also called for Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium to be neutralised and placed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency to promote long-term regional stability.
