Europeans push for Hormuz naval mission despite Iran skepticism

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the European-led initiative, discussed with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi last week, has been in preparation for weeks among about a dozen militaries and would include minehunters, warships and air surveillance assets.

"It is already ready," Barrot said on arrival at an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg. "France, the United Kingdom and several dozen countries have put together a strictly defensive international mission, independent from the parties to the conflict, capable of deploying rapidly to ensure freedom of navigation," he said.

G7 leaders gathering in the French Alps from Monday will discuss the plan, as officials look to translate any ceasefire into concrete measures to stabilise global energy flows.

The Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil usually flows — has been a flashpoint during weeks of confrontation, pushing up oil prices.