Tehran may allow Europe to clear mines in Hormuz

Iran is considering allowing European nations to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a potential climbdown that could form part of a deal to normalise shipping in the waterway and ease peace negotiations with the US.

In public, Iran has repeatedly said it won't allow foreign countries to join demining efforts in the critical transit point for oil and liquefied natural gas. But in private meetings in recent weeks Tehran has softened that stance, according to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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The move would give the shipping and insurance industries some much-needed third-party assurance that the strait is safe after more than five months of military conflict, and could help to boost broader diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Any European demining mission would be dependent on Iran providing security assurances for the naval vessels involved and any ceasefire proving sustainable, sources added.