Unrealistic to open Strait of Hormuz by force, says France’s Macron
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French President Emmanuel Macron has worked with European and other allies to build a coalition to guarantee free passage through the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities have stopped.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - French President Emmanuel Macron said on April 2 that it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump challenged US allies to work towards reopening it.
Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since the US and Israel struck Iran on Feb 28, triggering Iranian attacks on Israel, US bases and the Gulf states, and resulting in Tehran effectively closing the waterway that carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
“Some people defend the idea of freeing the Strait of Hormuz by force via a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States, although it has varied,” Mr Macron told reporters during a trip to South Korea.
“This was never the option we have supported because it is unrealistic,” he said.
“It would take forever, and would expose all those who go through the strait to risks from the guardians of the revolution but also ballistic missiles.”
Mr Macron, who has worked with European and other allies to build a coalition to guarantee free passage through the strait once hostilities have stopped, said this could be done only by talking to Iran.
“What we say from the beginning is that this strait must be reopened because it is strategic for energy flows, fertilisers and international trade, but that it can only be done in consultation with Iran,” he said.
Asked about Mr Trump’s criticism of NATO allies, Mr Macron said: “I don’t want to provide a running commentary of an operation the Americans have decided on their own with Israel.
“They can deplore the fact they’re not being helped, but that’s not our operation. We want peace as soon as possible.”
“This is not a show,” Mr Macron added. “We’re talking about war and peace... Let’s be serious and not say one day the opposite of what we said the day before,” he added, without saying if he was talking about Mr Trump.
On Mr Trump’s threats to pull the US out of the NATO alliance, Mr Macron said: “Alliances such as NATO derive their strength from what is not said, that is, from the trust that lies behind them. If you create doubt every day about your commitments, you hollow out its substance.”
Mr Macron also said Mr Trump’s comments mocking him and his wife Brigitte were “neither elegant, nor commensurate” with the moment. REUTERS
