HM Sultan Haitham Meets French President About Demining Strait of Hormuz

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq arrived in the French capital on Monday for the first official visit to France by an Omani leader since 1989, as the two nations sought to deepen bilateral ties and address the escalating security crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

The visit signals a notable shift in French engagement toward Oman, a country that has traditionally received less attention from Paris compared to larger Gulf economies such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The meeting between Sultan Haitham and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace produced what the French leader described as historic agreements spanning economic, scientific, cultural, and industrial sectors.

Joint Demining Effort

At the centre of the discussions was an agreement for France and Oman to collaborate on demining the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with international partners, aiming to secure maritime routes and guarantee free and unconditional passage through one of the world's most strategically vital waterways. Roughly a fifth of global oil supplies transit through the narrow channel.

Macron publicly praised Oman's diplomatic mediation efforts in recent years, particularly its involvement in crises concerning Iran and Yemen, describing the Sultanate's approach as wise and emphasising that regional stability remains a critical priority for France.

Navigating a Delicate Balance

The agreement comes as Oman walks an increasingly precarious tightrope in managing the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The Sultanate recently appeared at odds with Iran over approved shipping routes through the passage, a tension further complicated when a cargo vessel travelling along a UN-sanctioned route near the Omani coast was struck by a projectile last week, raising concerns about coordination between the two countries.

Oman and Iran have established a joint committee to oversee management of the strait, with its inaugural meeting held on Monday, according to an Iranian deputy minister. Despite these collaborative efforts, Oman maintains a firm position that the waterway should remain open, safe, and free for international navigation without mandatory transit fees. Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi reiterated this stance in an interview, noting Oman's support for voluntary payments related to navigation and environmental services rather than compulsory charges.

France and the United States strongly oppose any mandatory fees, and Macron is reportedly seeking clarity on how proposed charges would affect vessels passing through the strait. Traffic volumes have increased but remain below pre-conflict levels, reflecting the ongoing instability in the region.

A Wave of Agreements

Beyond security matters, the visit yielded a substantial slate of commercial deals signed at the Élysée Palace and a business forum in Paris:

• CMA CGM — The Marseille-based shipping giant signed a $500 million agreement with Oman's investment authority to develop new logistics corridors in Oman and manage a port terminal in the city of Sohar.

• Thales — A French defence company secured an $8 million contract to supply two radar systems to Oman's civil aviation authority.

• Suez — The French water management firm agreed to a $2.25 billion deal to oversee Muscat's water networks.

• EDF Power Solution — A $4 billion contract was signed to develop the country's first pumped-storage power plant at the Wadi Daysat dam, capable of storing up to two gigawatts of energy.

• Latitude — The French aerospace start-up, specialising in micro-launchers for small satellites, is in advanced negotiations with Oman's Etlaq Spaceport to launch up to 50 satellites annually in the coming years, with a letter of intent expected to be signed at the forum.

Diplomatic Backdrop

The visit also highlights Macron's broader diplomatic ambitions as he approaches the end of his second and final presidential term, positioning France as a key player in resolving global crises, particularly in the Middle East. Earlier this month, Macron hosted a dinner at the Palace of Versailles on the margins of a G7 summit in France, shortly before US President Donald Trump surprised the international community by signing an agreement with Iran.

Macron's office stated ahead of the Sultan's visit that the talks would reaffirm the importance of supporting regional de-escalation and address the security of maritime routes, which depends on free and unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

As Oman continues to balance its relationships with Iran, Western powers, and regional neighbours, the agreements signed in Paris represent both an economic milestone and a diplomatic signal that Muscat intends to remain at the centre of efforts to stabilise one of the world's most contested waterways.