Statement from Macron on the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz
French President Macron shared his evaluations on the tension in the Middle East, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and Ukraine in his interview with ABC News.
Quick Look
In his ABC News interview, French President Macron touched upon the importance of opening the energy routes in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, stated that regime change could not occur by bombing Iran, and said that he could persuade Trump regarding Ukraine.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
French President Macron gave an interview to the US broadcaster ABC News and evaluated foreign policy and security issues.
In his interview with ABC News, Macron evaluated the tension in the Middle East and the blockage on strategic energy routes.
When presenter David Muir reminded that US President Trump defended the rising fuel prices as "a small price to pay" in the US-Iran war and that the prices reaching record levels in France were at levels that would strain the government with a budget deficit, Macron said, "Making sure Iran does not have nuclear weapons is my main goal." he said.
On the other hand, in the context of Iran, "I don't think it is possible to achieve regime change by bombing a country." Macron said, pointing out that "these mistakes" have been made before in history.
"I don't want to blame anyone"
However, Macron said that the issue in the Middle East, beyond Iran, has become the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
"Because the Iranian regime discovered that it has this (Strait of Hormuz) card in its hand," Macron said. he said. For this reason, Macron said that his main agenda with President Trump and in other contacts in New York was "finding the right agreement to ensure the opening of the Strait of Hormuz."
Arguing that the decision not to participate in this war was correct, Macron responded to the question of whether France would provide military support for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz: "I do not want to enter into conflict with any country, but we are ready to take more responsibility to ensure passage (through the Strait of Hormuz) and maintain certain capacities, yes." he replied.
Macron refrained from commenting on whether the situation in the Strait of Hormuz was a "blind spot" that Trump could not foresee sufficiently in the war, saying that he "did not want to blame anyone" and that the United States "is one of the countries that can solve this problem."
However, Macron emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz issue in the war was "probably underestimated and they need to correct that."
"Ukraine is one of the areas where I can 'convince' Trump"
Stating that he does not believe that Putin wants peace in Ukraine, Macron commented that Ukraine is one of the areas where he can "convince" Trump.
Additionally, Macron stated that he and Trump have "very good" relations and that they are "very, very open" to each other.
Macron also refrained from commenting on the map that Trump shared on his social media account, showing some overseas territories of the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and France as US territory, saying, "Let's not create new conflicts and tensions while there are issues that need to be resolved, such as the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, artificial intelligence and technology race." he said.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
France will assume greater responsibility to ensure passage and maintain capacities in the Strait of Hormuz.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What concrete steps will be taken to open the Strait of Hormuz?
- How will the Trump administration respond to Macron's warnings?
