Iran: Iran warned on Sunday that the presence of French and British naval vessels in or around the Strait of Hormuz would trigger a 'decisive and immediate response' from Iranian armed forces. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized, in a post on the US social media platform X, plans announced by France and the UK to deploy naval assets to the region under the banner of protecting maritime security.

According to Anadolu Agency, Gharibabadi stated that France announced the dispatch of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle toward the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in preparation for a future joint mission with Britain aimed at strengthening freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Britain also announced it would send a warship to the Red Sea in coordination with France.

The Iranian official expressed that the deployment of 'extra-regional destroyers' near the Strait of Hormuz, under the pretext of protecting shipping, represented 'an escalation of the crisis' and the 'militarization of a vital waterway.' Gharibabadi argued that maritime security cannot be ensured through displays of military might and accused countries supporting or remaining silent about US-Israeli aggression of being 'part of the problem.'

He further noted that French officials mentioned the Charles de Gaulle mission would include mine-clearing operations and escorting ships once calm is restored. Gharibabadi emphasized that only the Islamic Republic of Iran could establish security in the strait and would not permit any country to interfere in such matters.

He warned that the presence of French or British vessels, or any forces coordinating with what he described as unlawful U.S. actions in the Strait of Hormuz, would face an immediate Iranian response. Gharibabadi advised against complicating the situation further.

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic efforts for a full reopening of the strategic waterway, which carries a fifth of the world's oil and gas, and preventing a return to conflict are currently underway. A key sticking point is said to be the fate of the enriched uranium Tehran possesses.