Paris, July 4 -- French President Emmanuel Macron said that France has deployed mine countermeasures assets to West Asia to help restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United Kingdom and France announced they would work with Oman to ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway and stand ready to deploy a wider multinational mission if required.

In a post on X, Macron said, "France has deployed mine countermeasures assets to the Middle East, including two minehunters in particular. Accompanied by two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft, these assets are ready to contribute, alongside our partners, to the full resumption of navigation and to ensure the safety of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz."

"The sig...