Financial Times: EU countries, including Italy and France, have started negotiations with Iran

Some EU countries, including France and Italy, have begun negotiations with Iran to allow their tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This is reported by the British Financial Times, citing sources.

Some countries have expressed disagreement with these attempts to establish contacts.

"Some people think we need to negotiate with the Iranians. But [EU countries] have very different views on this issue, which complicates the situation," they said.

At the same time, there are no guarantees that the negotiations will progress or that Iran is ready for them at all.

Italy, France and Greece have warships in In the Red Sea, however, none of the European fleets is ready to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain is not in direct talks with Iran about access to the strait, but Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper is on a visit to Saudi Arabia and is discussing with the Gulf states issues of ensuring the continuity of oil supplies, FT notes.

Against this background, there were reports that the Pentagon is sending more military and ships to the region because of the blockade of Iran. In particular, the American Wall Street Journal claims that several thousand more marines and several warships are being sent to the Middle East in connection with Iran's attacks in The Strait of Hormuz.