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French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that a military operation to “liberate” the Strait of Hormuz by force would be “unrealistic,” warning it would take excessive time and expose forces to significant risks.
Speaking at a press conference during a state visit to Seoul, South Korea, Macron said proposals to reopen the strategic waterway through military means, a position sometimes expressed by the U.S., are not viable.
“There are those who advocate for the liberation of the Strait of Hormuz by force through a military operation,” Macron said.
“It is unrealistic,” he added, stressing that such an approach “has never been the option we have chosen.”
Macron said the strait has been blocked since the early stages of the Middle East conflict by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The French president said a military operation would “take an inordinate amount of time” and involve “a host of risks.”
He warned that any forces attempting to cross or secure the strait would face threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which he said have “significant resources,” including ballistic missiles and other capabilities.
Macron said such an operation would expose those involved to coastal threats and prolonged danger in a highly militarized environment.
Macron’s remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for allied involvement in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global energy supplies.
The French leader reiterated that a military solution is not a realistic option, emphasizing the scale of risks and time required for such an operation.
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