Russia Values the Plan for the Hormuz Strait Mission Initiated by France-Britain Cannot Be Implemented

Russia said on Thursday a potential "multinational mission" to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz proposed by France and Britain "is not feasible."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova argued that Paris "did not make any effort" to coordinate their ideas for establishing the mission, especially with the warring parties, including Iran.

"Obviously, in its current form, this project cannot be implemented," Zakharova said at a news conference in Moscow, launching Anadolu (17/4).

"There is an impression that in Paris, while simulating active diplomatic activity, the main priority is to create an appearance of participation in international processes," he continued.

Zakharova argued that the initiative is aimed at "giving the country a special political weight in global affairs, which has basically disappeared from Paris in recent years."

Zakharova's statement comes ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-chairing a conference aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday in Paris.

The conference will bring together "non-aggressive countries willing to contribute" to a "multinational and purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when security conditions allow," according to the French presidency.

The initiative was first raised by President Macron earlier last month, saying his country and allies were preparing a mission aimed at reopening waterways and escorting ships after the most intense phase of the Middle East conflict had subsided.

Washington and Tehran held talks in the Pakistani capital last weekend, the most significant since 1979 when they severed ties, as part of a wider effort to end US-Israeli attacks on Iran that have killed more than 3,300 people since February 28, before a fragile two-week ceasefire was agreed last week.

However, the talks still did not produce any conclusions. The ceasefire was mediated and announced by Pakistan on April 8.

US President Donald Trump then announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which came into effect at 14.00 GMT Monday this week.