Macron rejects sending navy to Hormuz as Europe urges Trump to halt war

The European Union has called on Donald Trump and Iran to stop their conflict “so that all sides can save face”, while the French President Emmanuel Macron insisted France will not send naval forces to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

France is the latest NATO member to ignore the US president’s call for a “joint effort” to reopen the waterway, through which about 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.

Speaking after Trump asked allies to help secure the vital route — effectively closed by Iran in response to US and Israeli strikes — Macron said: “We are not a party to the conflict, and therefore “France will never participate in operations to open or secure the Strait of Hormuz in the current context.”  

“However, we believe that once the situation calms down and “the essence of the bombing has stopped,” we will be ready, alongside other countries, to take responsibility for an escort mission.”

In an angry post on the Truth Social platform, Trump hit back at NATO’s refusal, describing the alliance as “a one-way street” and declaring: “we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID!         

On Tuesday, when asked by reporters about Macron’s remarks, Trump said: “He will be leaving office very soon.”

READ: France ‘cannot approve’ US-Israeli strikes on Iran: Foreign minister