French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Europe is developing its own security solutions and will not participate in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under what he described as an “unclear framework,” instead calling for a negotiated solution.
“Europeans are building our own security solutions. Europeans are taking their destiny into their own hands by increasing defense and security spending and creating joint solutions,” Macron said at the 8th meeting of the European Political Community held in Yerevan.
He noted that Europe’s security policy has evolved since 2022 through initiatives such as the European Political Community, support for Ukraine through coalitions of willing countries, and ad hoc efforts related to the Strait of Hormuz.
Macron emphasized that France supports reopening the strait but will not join any force-based operation without a clear framework.
“If the United States is ready to reopen Hormuz, that is very good. That is what we have called for from the beginning,” he said.
According to him, France favors a coordinated reopening between Iran and the United States as the only sustainable solution to ensure free navigation “without restrictions and without taxes.”
Macron also underlined the importance of respecting the ceasefire in Lebanon, noting that further casualties have been reported and urging all parties to honor their commitments.
Tensions in the region have escalated since late February, when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran against Israeli targets and U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf.
Since mid-April, Washington has implemented a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway. A two-week ceasefire was announced earlier in April through mediation by Pakistan, followed by talks in Islamabad, but negotiations failed to produce a lasting agreement. Later, Donald Trump extended the ceasefire at Pakistan’s request without setting a new deadline.
