French President Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that France and the United Kingdom will jointly lead a multinational initiative to restore free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions mount over control of the strategic waterway between the United States and Iran.This announcement comes amid increasing geopolitical friction after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) moved to impose restrictions on maritime traffic linked to Iranian ports. According to US Central Command, the measures are being implemented under directives from US President Donald Trump, and will apply to ships of all nationalities operating in and out of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.The US Central Command explained that the restrictions target port activity linked to Iran, while freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for ships transiting between non-Iranian ports will not be affected.In response, Iran strongly criticized the US move, warning that maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman could be at risk if its security interests were threatened. Iranian authorities also said they would continue to control access to the strait, allowing passage under their regulations while restricting ships linked to hostile entities.Against this background, Macron said that the proposed initiative is part of broader diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East and ensure long-term regional stability.
He stressed that the mission would be “purely defensive” and separate from the parties involved in the ongoing hostilities.Macron said France and the United Kingdom will hold a conference in the coming days with countries willing to contribute to a “peaceful multinational mission” aimed at protecting maritime traffic along the key energy route.He added: “With regard to the Strait of Hormuz, we will organize with the United Kingdom, in the coming days, a conference with countries that are ready to contribute alongside us to a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait.”
Macron said that this purely defensive mission, different from the warring countries, will be deployed as soon as the situation allows.He added that the initiative is linked to broader regional concerns, including Iran’s nuclear and ballistic activities and what he described as destabilizing actions, even as a two-week ceasefire between US-Israeli coalition forces and Iran continues after more than a month of conflict.Macron also said that this effort forms part of a broader effort to reach diplomatic solutions in West Asia, including restoring stability in Lebanon while respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.Macron reiterated that France is ready to play a “full role” in the initiative, adding that the mission will be deployed as soon as circumstances allow.
