Tehran, 30 June (H.S.): Iran has said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains highly sensitive and extremely complex, asserting that it alone will carry out mine-clearing operations in the strategic waterway. A senior Iranian official warned that Tehran would not allow any foreign country to participate in the operation and specifically cautioned France against involvement.

According to a CBS News report, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Monday that, under the understanding reached between Iran and the United States, Iran would independently undertake the task of removing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X, Gharibabadi stated that no other country would be permitted to take part in the mine-clearing operation.

He said the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains sensitive and highly complicated, and advised France against taking what he described as provocative actions that could further escalate tensions in the region.

Earlier on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Oman had agreed to work with international partners on mine-clearing efforts in the strategic waterway. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry denied reports that Iranian officials would meet U.S. representatives in Qatar on Tuesday.

Iran's President also said on Monday that the country expects to regain access to approximately $6 billion in Iranian assets currently held in Qatar. The restoration of Iran's frozen financial assets is among the provisions outlined in the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington.

Meanwhile, Aaron David Miller, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that a return to the previous status quo in the Strait of Hormuz appears highly unlikely. He noted that Iran continues to exercise significant control over two of the region's most critical maritime chokepoints—the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar