Emmanuel Macron: "There was no discussion about deploying forces to the Strait of Hormuz"

He emphasized that France is ready to act, but that its priority is freedom of navigation and ending blockades on international maritime routes.

According to BFM TV, Emmanuel Macron said that a decision had been made several days ago to move the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, together with accompanying frigates and the entire naval air group, from the eastern Mediterranean toward the area beyond the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in the broader region near the crisis zones.

He stressed that this was not a deployment in the sense of escalation, but rather a state of readiness for French forces.

As reported by Le Figaro, Macron added that Paris’ position since the beginning of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has been clear: support for freedom of navigation, the lifting of blockades, and de-escalation of tensions, along with a call to return to negotiations on nuclear and ballistic issues in accordance with international law.

“From the very beginning, we have been saying one simple thing — freedom of navigation, ending the blockade, and ensuring the unhindered flow of traffic,” Macron said.

He noted that he had discussed the issue with partners, emphasizing that the consequences of the crisis are global and affect everyone, including Africa, as well as French citizens who, as he put it, “are paying the price for a war they did not want.”

“Paris does not advocate military escalation”

The French president recalled that Paris has not advocated military escalation, but instead, together with United Kingdom, launched a special international mission bringing together around 50 countries and international organizations aimed at ensuring safe and coordinated maritime navigation.

According to him, the goal is to enable the uninterrupted flow of goods — including energy supplies, food, and fertilizers — as soon as conditions allow.

Macron called for calming tensions and restraint, warning that verbal escalation could lead to a further deterioration of the situation on the ground.

“I call for a return to calm and responsibility. The priority must be the peaceful and negotiated reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron said.

He added that France remains ready to participate in finding solutions within the framework of international law and through continued responsible negotiations on nuclear and missile programs.

Macron’s statement came shortly after Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that the presence of foreign military forces in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, including British and French ships, would be viewed as escalation and would face a decisive response.

According to Gharibabadi, any deployment of additional destroyers from outside the region around the Strait of Hormuz, under the pretext of “protecting ships,” represents an escalation of the crisis, the militarization of a key maritime route, and an attempt to conceal the real causes of insecurity in the region.