PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday that roughly 15 nations are collaborating to restore shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that typically handles one-fifth of global oil transport.
Speaking during a defense meeting with his advisers and cabinet members, Macron detailed the international coordination effort. “About 15 countries are currently mobilised and are participating in the planning, under France’s leadership, to enable the implementation of this strictly defensive mission in coordination with Iran to facilitate the resumption of traffic,” he stated.
The multinational initiative comes after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. While Macron expressed support for the truce, he raised concerns about Lebanon’s status in the arrangement.
“Our wish in this context is to be assured that the ceasefire fully includes Lebanon,” Macron emphasized, highlighting France’s ongoing diplomatic ties with Lebanon, which was once under French control.
The French president stressed that the mission would be purely defensive in nature and would work in partnership with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage through the strategic strait.
