France, June 29 -- The two leaders are to reaffirm the need to ease tensions in the region and discuss maritime security, calling for "free and unconditional" passage through the strategic waterway, according to the French presidency.

Although the United States and Iran reached an agreement in mid-June to end the conflict triggered by US-Israeli attacks in late February, the strait remains a source of tension. Tehran is considering introducing transit charges that did not exist before the war - a move opposed by Washington and France.

Macron has warned Iran against imposing tolls, saying "everything" should be done so fees are not charged for passage through the key bottleneck.

The roughly 30km-wide strait, which lies between Iran and ...