Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force


French President Emmanuel Macron pays his tribute to fallen French soldiers who fought for South Korea during the Korean War at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, April 2, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

PARIS, April ⁠2 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron ⁠said on Thursday it would ‌be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait ​of Hormuz, after U.S. ⁠President Donald Trump ⁠challenged U.S. allies to work towards ⁠reopening ‌it.

"Some people defend the idea of freeing ⁠the Strait of Hormuz by force ​via ‌a military operation, a position ⁠sometimes ​expressed by the United States, although it has varied," Macron told ⁠reporters during a trip ​to South Korea.

"This was never the option we have supported because ⁠it is unrealistic," he added. "It would take forever, and would expose all those who go ​through the strait ⁠to risks from the guardians ​of the revolution but ‌also ballistic missiles," ​he said.

(Reporting by Michel Rose, Editing by Dominique Vidalon)

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