Macron Rejects Trump’s Naval Coalition Proposal for Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron has described the idea of opening the Strait of Hormuz through military means as “unrealistic”. He highlighted the slow and challenging nature of such an operation while dismissing U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for allies to take charge of protecting this critical oil passage.
Arriving in South Korea for a short visit, Macron had previously been in Japan discussing economic relations. While addressing Trump’s comments about progress in Iran, he urged countries to work collaboratively toward resolving the situation.
Macron made it clear he disagreed with the notion of using force to reopen the waterway, stating that it could take significant time and pose numerous risks, especially with coastal threats in play. He noted the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps not only has ballistic missiles but also important resources at their disposal.
The real control that Iran has over the strait is still yet to be determined. Any past threats have been, as indicated by Washington, substantially reduced following recent U.S. military actions that targeted Iranian naval capabilities, mine facilities, and other logistics.
In a speech, President Trump declared that Iran’s military strength was “gone” and insisted it was up to other nations, particularly those benefiting from the strait, to ensure it remains open. He confidently asserted that protecting it would be straightforward since, in his view, Iran is “essentially destroyed,” claiming that the tough work has already been done.
Several nations, including France and Japan, have expressed willingness to contribute to a naval coalition to maintain security in the strait, but only once hostilities have ceased. Trump criticized the hesitance of these countries, pointing out that fears of isolated threats could delay effective action.
Trump specifically mentioned France, South Korea, Japan, and China as having vested interests in the security of the Strait of Hormuz. As reported by the International Energy Agency, around 25 percent of global oil transported by sea passes through this vital route, with a significant portion destined for Asia.
Looking ahead to 2025, projections indicate that out of the 20 million barrels of oil exported daily through the strait, a considerable amount will be sent to China, India, and other Asian nations, while European and American imports will be minimal.
In addition to these discussions, Macron also reacted to Trump’s light-hearted commentary about a previous incident involving French First Lady Brigitte Macron appearing to slap him, which garnered media attention. Macron opted not to delve into the matter, suggesting that Trump’s remarks were not worth a response.
