Italy denies negotiations with Iran for safe passage through the Hormuz Strait

ROME, March 13 (Reuters) - No negotiations are underway with Iran to guarantee safe passage through the Hormuz Strait for Italian ships or oil tankers, an Italian foreign ministry source said on Friday, denying a report in the Financial Times.

"In their diplomatic contacts, Italian leaders want to favour the conditions for a general military de-escalation, but there is no under-the-table negotiation aimed at preserving only some merchant ships at the expense of others," the source said.