Iran foreign minister tells France countries must refrain from escalating conflict

Dubai: Iran's ​foreign ​minister told his French counterpart ​that countries must refrain from any action that could ‌escalate ⁠the conflict ⁠in the Middle ​East, Abbas Araqchi said in comments ​posted on his Telegram account on Sunday.

This comes after U.S. ⁠President Donald ‌Trump called upon various states, including ⁠France, to deploy vessels to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran following U.S.-Israeli ‌strikes on its territory.

Also Read: France ready to facilitate ceasefire discussions between Israel and Lebanon: Macron


About a fifth ​of global ​oil ⁠and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the strait, a ​narrow passage of water between Iran and Oman.