French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that a military operation to liberate the Strait of Hormuz is “unrealistic”, expressing frustration at US President Donald Trump’s alternating statements on the Iran war.
“There are those who advocate for the liberation of the Strait of Hormuz by force through a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States,” Macron said in South Korea. “I say sometimes because it has varied, it is never the option we have chosen and we consider it unrealistic,” he said.
“It is unrealistic because it would take an inordinate amount of time and would expose anyone crossing the strait to coastal threats from the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guards, who possess significant resources, as well as ballistic missiles, (and) a host of other risks.”
He added, “This can only be done in concert with Iran. So, first and foremost, there must be a ceasefire and a resumption of negotiations.”
France is pushing for an international mission involving European and non-European nations to escort oil and gas tankers and reopen the Strait of Hormuz after the most intense phase of the conflict is over. (AFP)
