'Never Envisaged': Macron Rules Out Sending Warships As Iran Warns UK, France Over Hormuz

Last Updated:May 10, 2026, 23:02 IST

Macron said France’s mission was strictly a security operation, to be coordinated with Iran and regional partners.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday clarified that France had “never envisaged" deploying warships to the Strait of Hormuz, following Iran’s warning of a “decisive and immediate response" to any foreign naval presence in the strategic waterway.

Speaking at a news conference in Nairobi during an African summit, Macron said France’s mission was strictly a security operation, to be coordinated with Iran and regional partners.

“There was never any question of a deployment but we are ready," he said. “We have put together an ad hoc mission, co-led with the British, which has brought together 50 countries and international organisations to enable, in a coordinated way with Iran and by deconflicting the situation with all the countries of the region and the United States, the resumption of maritime traffic as soon as conditions allow."

Macron stressed that France opposes any blockade from either side and called for unimpeded shipping through the strait, a critical corridor through which most Middle Eastern oil is exported. “The whole continent is a victim of the blockade," he said.

Iran issues ‘decisive and immediate response’

The French president’s comments came after Iran earlier issued a sharp warning to the United Kingdom and France of sending any warships being sent to the Strait of Hormuz, after Paris and London dispatched vessels to the region.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X, “We remind them that both in times of war and in times of peace, only the Islamic Republic of Iran can establish security in this strait and it will not allow any country to interfere in such matters."

The warning comes after France and the UK announced plans to send vessels as part of an international coalition aimed at securing the strait, but only after a peace deal between the US and Iran is secured.

While France has positioned its mission as coordinated and non-confrontational, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier recently passed through the Suez Canal in preparation for operations. Macron reiterated that the deployment is intended to ensure maritime safety, not to escalate tensions.

(With inputs from AFP)

News world 'Never Envisaged': Macron Rules Out Sending Warships As Iran Warns UK, France Over Hormuz

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