French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin has addressed reports regarding the alleged placement of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing Paris's readiness to respond to maritime threats.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, the minister made these remarks during an interview with France Info radio. Vautrin stated that while France does not currently possess definitive intelligence confirming the presence of mines in the area, the military is taking proactive measures.
“At the moment, I have no certainty on this subject, but in any case, we are potentially preparing for the necessity of mine clearance,” Vautrin said. The minister further noted that mine-hunting vessels have been deployed to the region as part of a possible joint mission between France and the United Kingdom. She also highlighted that one French vessel is already stationed at the country's military base in Djibouti.
The statement follows reports from CBS News, citing US intelligence, which claimed that at least 10 mines had been detected in the Strait of Hormuz. US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reportedly confirmed this data. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most vital maritime chokepoints, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil consumption passes daily. Any disruption to navigation in these waters typically triggers significant fluctuations in global energy markets and heightens geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
