French president, Saudi crown prince oppose any navigation fee in Strait of Hormuz

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday opposed imposing any direct or indirect fees on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a joint statement.

The two leaders stressed "the need to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to normal" and condemned "attacks on vessels in the strait and threats to navigation," Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya reported, citing the joint statement.

On Iran, Macron and Mohammed bin Salman stressed "the need to reach a negotiated solution" and reaffirmed their commitment to "a diplomatic solution that guarantees the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program," according to the statement.

They also called on Iran "to resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency."

Regarding Gaza, the leaders underlined the importance of creating conditions for a sustainable ceasefire, the statement said.

They welcomed an agreement on the disarmament of Hamas and called for its implementation.

France and Saudi Arabia also called for "an end to Israel's settlement policy," according to the statement.

It said Macron and bin Salman affirmed their intention to pursue "political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts" and reiterated their "ambition for the strategic partnership" between France and Saudi Arabia.