Iran’s state television announced that European countries have begun negotiations with the Revolutionary Guard’s navy to secure permission for ships to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement follows recent passage of vessels from East Asian nations including China, Japan and Pakistan, and suggests a shift in European diplomatic posture toward direct engagement with Tehran over maritime security.

The strait has been effectively closed to routine commercial traffic since late February, when a series of strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets triggered a cycle of retaliation. Tehran responded by restricting passage through the waterway, which carries a significant portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. In parallel, Washington has moved to blockade Iranian ports, compounding the disruption.

Britain and France have taken the lead in formulating a response, with initiatives to secure trade routes through the strait. Viewed from European capitals, the decision to negotiate directly with the Revolutionary Guard rather than through intermediaries reflects both urgency over energy supplies and frustration with the limited results of US-led pressure. The fact that Tehran is making the talks public suggests it sees value in demonstrating that even Western powers must now seek its permission.

Analysts in London note that while the talks may offer a temporary solution for commercial shipping, they risk legitimising Iran’s de facto control over the waterway. The broader standoff — which has already driven up energy costs and heightened tensions across the Gulf — shows no sign of resolution. Any agreement on Hormuz transit would likely be contingent on wider concessions from both sides, but the very fact that Europeans are sitting down with the Revolutionary Guard marks a significant departure from the previous diplomatic posture. The coming weeks will test whether this channel can evolve into a broader de-escalation or merely reinforces the regional fragmentation of maritime governance.