French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Monday for the Gulf leader's first official visit to France, with talks expected to focus on securing the toll-free reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
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 Oman, is one of the world's most important shipping routes.
Around 20 percent of global oil and gas trade passed through it prior to the conflict. Its closure during the war notably drove up the price of hydrocarbons, impacting the world economy.
Oman has a long record of being a key broker between Iran and the West and is seen as a trusted intermediary in the US-Iran negotiations with a direct interest in keeping the strait open. Its foreign ministry says it is working intensively on safe passage arrangements.
On Tuesday, Sultan Haitham discussed developments with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the foreign ministry said.
Strengthening relationship
France and the United Kingdom have brought together a coalition of countries that were not involved in the US-Iran conflict and are prepared to carry out a maritime security and mine-clearance mission in the Strait of Hormuz now that fighting has stopped.
Speaking after the G7 summit in Evian, Macron said the mission remained a proposal that depended on agreements between Iran and the United States, with Oman's support.
US President Donald Trump showed only limited public enthusiasm for the plan, although a diplomat at the summit said the coalition's mine-clearance capabilities had attracted his attention during the G7 discussions.
Macron and Sultan Haitham will hold talks at the Elysée Palace at midday Monday, where they are expected to sign a series of agreements, before opening a business forum in Paris later in the day.
The Elysée said the visit reflected the strengthening relationship between France and Oman in areas including the economy, science, culture and industry.
(with newswires)
