Iran says Strait of Hormuz situation 'sensitive and complex', will clear mines alone

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi said Monday that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is "sensitive and complex," stressing that Tehran will carry out mine-clearing operations in the waterway on its own under a memorandum of understanding. Ravanchi told reporters that no state would participate in the mine-clearing work alongside Iran and that, as a matter of principle, such participation would not be permitted. He also issued a strong warning to France against actions he described as provocative that could further complicate the situation. Earlier in the day, U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had requested talks with Washington and called for Iranian and American technical teams to meet quickly to discuss the technical aspects of the memorandum, the first round of which was held in Switzerland. Trump said a second meeting would take place in Doha on Tuesday and suggested the process was moving forward through diplomatic channels. Iran has rejected any third-party involvement in clearing mines from the strait, insisting the authority lies solely with Tehran. No further details on the timing of the mine-clearing operations were immediately available.