Iran Warns UK and France Over Hormuz Mission
AP reported during Tehran's July 4 funeral coverage, and The New Region and CGTN also reported Saturday, that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned Britain and France against a multinational military mission in the Strait of Hormuz. The warning followed the July 3 Starmer-Macron statement saying Oman agreed to work with London and Paris to secure navigation and that the UK and France stand ready to deploy the wider mission. Israel should read the exchange as another sign that Tehran is using Hormuz leverage after the US-Israel war. Freedom of navigation, backed by allies, limits Iran's ability to finance and pressure the region.