European nations, including France and Italy, open talks with Iran in the hope of securing Strait of Hormuz passage, FT reports citing sources; working to restart gas and oil export without expanding the conflict

• No European navies are prepared to escort. The official cited says, "it has to be a permissible environment".

The initiation of talks between European nations and Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz signals a strategic effort to secure vital oil and gas exports without further escalating regional tensions. The emphasis on needing a 'permissible environment' suggests that while there is intent to restore energy flows, underlying geopolitical risks remain prominent, which could have implications for energy prices and global markets.