French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the convening of an international conference jointly with Britain to open the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
More specifically, the Franco-British initiative comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, with Emmanuel Macron saying the mission planned to restore free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz would be “strictly defensive” and independent of the parties involved in the conflict.
International conference on ‘peaceful multinational mission’ in the Strait of Hormuz
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Macron said the conference would take place “in the coming days” and would bring together countries willing to contribute to a multinational initiative.
The aim, he said, is to create a “peaceful mission” to ensure the free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy passages, which the US has decided to blockade.
For his part, a British government spokesman said London wanted a “broad coalition” to be formed, stressing that navigation in the region “should not be subject to tolls”.
Macron’s emphasis on diplomacy and stability
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The French President stressed the need for a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the Middle East crisis through diplomacy.
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According to him, a broader framework is needed to allow all sides to live “in peace and security”, with a particular focus on issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme and its ballistic capabilities.
At the same time, he stressed the need to stabilize Lebanon, with respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
