🚨 BREAKING: France & Italy Negotiating Directly with Iran to Secure Ship Transit Through Strait of Hormuz — CNN
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Energy Security & Diplomacy
In a dramatic diplomatic development that underscores the widening rift between European powers and the United States over handling the Iran crisis, CNN has reported that France and Italy are engaged in direct negotiations with Iranian officials to secure permission for their commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The talks represent a significant departure from the US-led approach of demanding unconditional reopening of the strategic waterway, instead pursuing a pragmatic accommodation with Tehran’s new regulatory framework.
The negotiations come as the two-week US-Iran ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, entered into effect on April 7, but with the strait remaining largely restricted — Iran has imposed a limit of 15 ships per day requiring prior approval from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a fraction of the pre-war average of 130-140 vessels daily .
European ‘Energy Lifeline’ Talks
According to CNN sources familiar with the discussions, French and Italian officials have opened back-channel communications with Iranian authorities in an attempt to negotiate a separate arrangement that would allow European ships to transit the strait — even as US and allied vessels remain effectively blocked. The talks are driven by acute energy security concerns, with both nations having experienced sharp increases in fuel prices since the strait’s effective closure following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28.
Forbes Belgium has reported that fuel prices in France have increased by approximately 15 cents per liter, while Italy has seen a rise of 34 cents per gallon since the conflict began . The broader European gas market has experienced a staggering 75 percent price surge amid the supply disruption, placing immense political pressure on governments to find a solution.
The Financial Times first reported on March 13 that France and Italy had initiated discussions with Iranian officials, citing multiple anonymous sources. According to the report, several European countries have begun preliminary contacts with Tehran in an attempt to restart oil and gas exports without escalating the broader conflict . The talks are understood to focus on securing guarantees that European vessels would be treated as “non-hostile” and granted passage under Iran’s new selective access regime.
Macron’s Dual-Track Strategy
French President Emmanuel Macron has pursued a distinctly European approach to the crisis, balancing solidarity with the United States against France’s own energy interests and its historic ties to the Middle East. Macron has welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire brokered by Pakistan but has been notably more open to direct engagement with Tehran than the White House .
On April 7, Macron announced that approximately 15 countries were mobilizing “under France’s leadership” to plan a “strictly defensive mission in coordination with Iran to facilitate the resumption of traffic” through the strait . The French president has also maintained direct communication channels with Iranian leadership, posting on social media that he had spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and stressed the need for Tehran to “guarantee freedom of navigation” .
France has taken concrete military steps to back its diplomatic initiative, deploying eight warships, including an aircraft carrier, to the Middle East . The French naval presence is intended both to protect French commercial vessels and to demonstrate France’s capability to participate in any multilateral security arrangement for the strait.
Crucially, French officials have signaled a willingness to distinguish their approach from Washington’s hardline stance. According to Reuters, French officials have expressed a desire to “keep their distance from the United States’ hardline methods” for securing the strait, recognizing that long-term navigation safety “would ultimately require at least minimal Iranian approval” .
Italy’s Cautious but Pragmatic Position
Italy’s position has been more guarded but ultimately pragmatic. While Italian officials have publicly denied engaging in “backroom negotiations” with Tehran — with the Foreign Ministry stating that there are no “confidential negotiations” aimed at securing passage for Italian ships — the government has not ruled out dialogue as a means of de-escalation .
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has made Italy’s position clear: the country will not send naval assets to help police the strait unless any such mission operates under a clear United Nations mandate . This position effectively sidelines Italy from the US-led approach while leaving the door open for European-led initiatives or direct bilateral arrangements with Tehran.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has articulated an Italian position focused on “de-escalation, multilateralism, and maritime safety” . At a UK-convened ministerial meeting on the strait crisis, Tajani expressed Italy’s willingness to participate in multilateral initiatives to ensure safe passage, but emphasized that a “clear mandate from the United Nations is essential to ensuring legitimacy and international coordination” .
The Iran Calculus: Why Engage Europe?
For Iran, engaging European powers serves multiple strategic purposes at a critical juncture. With the country under sustained US-Israeli military pressure and facing severe economic strain, Tehran sees value in cultivating European interlocutors who may be more sympathetic — or at least more pragmatic — than Washington.
Key Iranian interests in negotiating with Europe include:
| Iranian Interest | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Divide the West | Demonstrating that Europe is willing to deal separately from the US weakens Washington’s maximum pressure campaign |
| Economic Relief | Securing European energy purchases provides revenue and bypasses some sanctions pressure |
| Diplomatic Legitimacy | European engagement validates Iran’s claim that its new strait regime is subject to negotiation, not unilateral rejection |
| Future Leverage | Establishing a direct channel with Europe gives Iran additional diplomatic options as ceasefire talks proceed |
Iran has been explicit about its willingness to distinguish between “friendly” and “hostile” nations at the strait. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in late March that the strait is “not completely closed,” but rather “only closed to enemies” . Russia has already confirmed that its vessels are being granted passage, with a Kremlin foreign policy adviser stating simply: “For us, Hormuz is open” .
The US Reaction: A Growing Transatlantic Rift
The reported European negotiations have exposed significant tensions between Washington and its European allies. The Trump administration has demanded a “complete, immediate, and safe opening” of the strait to all nations without conditions, and has rejected any arrangement that would legitimize Iran’s selective access regime .
President Trump has been publicly critical of European reluctance to join US military efforts in the region. During a recent interview, he suggested that Britain’s aircraft carriers “didn’t work” and implied that European navies were inadequate for the task of securing global shipping lanes .
The administration has also threatened secondary sanctions on any entity that facilitates Iranian oil exports, potentially putting European companies and governments in a difficult position if they pursue separate arrangements with Tehran. However, enforcement of such sanctions against European allies would risk a major rupture in transatlantic relations.
European leaders have pushed back. In a joint statement issued following the ceasefire announcement, the leaders of Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands — along with the presidents of the European Council and Commission — welcomed the truce and called for “quick progress towards a substantive negotiated settlement” . Notably, the statement did not endorse the US position of unconditional strait reopening, instead emphasizing the need for diplomacy and regional stability.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has been the most outspoken European critic of the US approach, issued a characteristically blunt statement: his administration “will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket” .
The 15-Country ‘Defensive Mission’
The reported bilateral negotiations between France, Italy, and Iran are occurring alongside a broader European-led initiative to establish a multilateral framework for strait security.
Macron announced on April 7 that approximately 15 countries are currently “mobilized and participating in planning, under France’s leadership, to enable the implementation of this strictly defensive mission in coordination with Iran” . The mission is designed to “facilitate the resumption of traffic” through the strait, but would operate with Iran’s cooperation rather than in opposition to Tehran.
This stands in stark contrast to the US approach, which has focused on military pressure and the threat of force to compel Iranian compliance. The European model implicitly recognizes Iran’s effective control over the strait and seeks to negotiate practical arrangements rather than challenge Tehran’s authority directly.
The 15-country coalition is expected to include European partners, Canada, and potentially Gulf states. However, progress has not been seamless; reports indicate that India remains “hesitant” about joining the initiative .
The Stakes: Why Europe Cannot Wait
The urgency driving European engagement with Iran cannot be overstated. The International Energy Agency has warned that jet fuel — one of the most impacted refined products — will face worsening shortages in April and May . The Airports Council International Europe has cautioned that European airports face “systemic” shortages of jet fuel if the strait is not fully reopened within weeks.
For Italy specifically, the crisis poses particular risks. While Italy has diversified its energy supplies in recent years, its exposure to Qatari LNG remains significant, accounting for approximately 10 percent of imports, with potential structural effects in the medium term if facilities are damaged .
For France, the impact is primarily price-related, but the broader economic consequences of prolonged supply disruption — including impacts on manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture — are substantial.
The shipping industry has been devastated. Daily merchant vessel transits through the strait have fallen by 90-95 percent since the conflict began . War risk insurance premiums have increased by up to 400 percent, effectively paralyzing commercial traffic .
Official Denials: A Diplomatic Necessity
Notably, both French and Italian officials have publicly denied the existence of bilateral negotiations with Iran, a common practice in sensitive diplomatic contexts.
The Italian Foreign Ministry has stated that there are “no confidential negotiations” underway to guarantee passage for Italian ships, and that there are “no ‘backroom negotiations’ aimed at preserving only some merchant ships over others” . The Prime Minister’s Office has also denied the opening of bilateral or direct negotiations with Iran.
Similarly, Reuters has reported that French officials denied conducting “secret negotiations” with Tehran, stating that France’s focus remains on building a multilateral coalition .
These denials are diplomatically necessary. Public acknowledgment of direct negotiations with Iran — a country the US considers an adversary and with which the Trump administration is engaged in a tense ceasefire — could strain transatlantic relations and potentially expose European governments to accusations of undermining the US position.
However, the consistency of reporting from multiple authoritative sources — including CNN, the Financial Times, and Reuters — strongly suggests that such discussions are occurring through back channels, even if not formally acknowledged.
The Islamabad Talks: A Diplomatic Crossroads
The European engagement with Iran comes just as US and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet in Islamabad for high-stakes peace talks. The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The Iranian delegation is headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi .
The European approach to the strait — seeking accommodation rather than confrontation with Iran’s new regulatory framework — may influence the broader negotiations. If Iran perceives that European powers are willing to accept its terms for selective access, Tehran may be less inclined to make concessions to the United States.
Conversely, the US position has hardened. President Trump has warned that it will be “very painful” for Iran if no deal is reached, and has insisted that the strait must be reopened “completely, immediately, and safely” without conditions .
What Comes Next: A Fragmented Maritime Order?
The reported French-Italian negotiations with Iran point toward a future in which the Strait of Hormuz — long governed by international law and the principle of freedom of navigation — becomes a fragmented, politicized waterway where access is determined by bilateral arrangements rather than universal norms.
This outcome would represent a significant shift in global maritime order. If Iran succeeds in establishing a two-tier system — open to “friends,” closed to “enemies” — it could set a dangerous precedent for other strategic chokepoints around the world.
For Europe, the immediate priority is securing energy supplies. With winter approaching and natural gas reserves under pressure, European governments are prioritizing practical solutions over geopolitical posturing. Whether this pragmatic approach succeeds — and whether it can be reconciled with US policy — remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did CNN report about France and Italy negotiating with Iran?
CNN reported that France and Italy are engaged in direct negotiations with Iranian officials to secure permission for their commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The talks aim to secure guarantees that European ships would be treated as “non-hostile” under Iran’s selective access regime .
2. Why are France and Italy pursuing separate negotiations with Iran?
Both nations are facing acute energy security pressures. Fuel prices have risen significantly, and European gas prices have surged 75 percent since the conflict began. With the strait largely restricted, European governments are seeking practical solutions to secure energy supplies .
3. Have France and Italy confirmed these negotiations?
Officially, both governments have denied engaging in “secret” or “backroom” negotiations. However, the consistency of reporting from CNN, the Financial Times, and Reuters suggests such discussions are occurring through back channels .
4. What is France’s “defensive mission” for the strait?
President Macron announced that approximately 15 countries are mobilizing “under France’s leadership” to plan a “strictly defensive mission in coordination with Iran” to facilitate the resumption of traffic through the strait. France has deployed eight warships to the region .
5. How does this differ from the US approach?
The US has demanded the “complete, immediate, and safe opening” of the strait to all nations without conditions. The European approach seeks accommodation with Iran’s new regulatory framework, recognizing Tehran’s effective control over the waterway .
6. What is Iran’s selective access regime?
Iran has implemented a two-tier system at the strait: vessels from “friendly” nations (including Russia, China, and potentially European countries) may be granted passage with IRGC approval, while vessels from “enemy” nations (primarily the US and Israel) remain blocked .
7. How has the US reacted to European engagement with Iran?
The Trump administration has been critical, with President Trump suggesting European navies are inadequate for securing shipping lanes. The US has threatened secondary sanctions, though enforcement against European allies would risk a major transatlantic rupture .
8. What are the stakes for Europe if the strait remains restricted?
The Airports Council International Europe has warned of “systemic” jet fuel shortages within weeks. Shipping transits have fallen 90-95 percent, insurance premiums have risen 400 percent, and energy prices have surged across the continent .
9. When are the next US-Iran talks scheduled?
US and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet in Islamabad for direct peace talks. The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, while Iran is represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi .
10. Could other European nations join these negotiations?
Possibly. The Financial Times reported that “several European countries” have initiated preliminary contacts with Tehran. Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands — all of which signed the joint statement welcoming the ceasefire — may also be exploring diplomatic channels .
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