France ready to join Hormuz ship escorts after tensions ease

France – (Web Desk) – France said it is ready to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but only once the situation becomes calmer, President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.

This comes after US President Donald Trump asked allies to help secure the busy waterway, which Iran has partially blocked in response to the war started by the United States and Israel on February 28.

Since Iran began attacking ships and launching missile and drone strikes in the Gulf, global oil prices have jumped by 40 to 50 percent.

Macron stressed that France is not part of the conflict. “We will not take part in operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz right now,” he said. “But once things calm down, we are ready to join other nations in escorting ships.”

Trump has criticized allies for being hesitant about the mission. He told the Financial Times that it would be “very bad” for NATO if countries refuse to help.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London was working with allies to craft a “viable” plan to reopen the strait but ruled out a NATO mission, while German officials also said it had been “clear at all times that this war is not a matter for NATO”.

5,600 Pakistanis & 431 foreigners enter Balochistan from Iran

Japan, Australia, Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden also distanced themselves from military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.