According to Daily Mail - News, Emmanuel Macron described Trump's approach as needing to get 'serious' over Iran and dismissed demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force as unrealistic. Macron called for de-escalation, a ceasefire, and the resumption of diplomatic negotiations in the Middle East. He insisted that only negotiation with Tehran could free the Strait of Hormuz, warning that targeted military action alone would not resolve Iran's nuclear programme and arguing that only in-depth negotiations involving diplomatic and technical frameworks could provide a lasting solution.
Trump, in a live address, ordered Europe to 'grab and cherish' the Strait of Hormuz. He has been trying to cajole NATO allies to lead a military operation to force reopen the Strait, and has veered between saying the US will open the Strait alone to demanding Europe clear it without help. Trump slammed allies for not supporting the US and Israeli military campaign, adding that countries must 'build up some delayed courage.' He said, 'The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage. They must cherish it. They must grab it and cherish it, they can do it easily. We will be helpful but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on.'
Emmanuel Macron told Donald Trump on Thursday to get 'serious' over Iran.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hosted an international summit of more than 40 nations on the Strait of Hormuz issue, with America notably absent. Cooper hit out at Tehran for its strikes on 25 vessels that have trapped 20,000 crew on some 2,000 ships, saying Iranian 'recklessness' has hit 'mortgage rates and petrol prices' in the UK and endangered 'our global economic security.' She called on summit participants to mobilize the 'full range of diplomatic and economic tools' and find ways to reassure the shipping insurance market. Cooper said measures could include 'working with the International Maritime Organisation to ensure that the first stranded ships can get moving again' and explored 'co-ordinated economic and political measures, such as sanctions, to bear down on Iran if the Strait remains closed.'
The policy rift has been accompanied by personal jibes. Trump publicly mocked Macron over a video in which his wife, Brigitte Macron, appeared to shove him in the face, claiming that Brigitte Macron treated her husband 'extremely badly' and that Macron was 'still recovering from the right to the jaw.' According to Daily Express - World, Emmanuel Macron described Trump's comments as 'not elegant, nor up to standard' and refused to engage further with the personal jibe, stating it did not deserve a response.
Perhaps you shouldn't talk every day.
Macron has emphasized Europe's predictability, contrasting it with Trump's unpredictability. During a visit to Japan, he praised Europe's 'predictability,' contrasting it with countries that 'could hurt you without even informing you' in an apparent swipe at Trump. He said, 'I'm well aware that sometimes Europe can be seen as a continent that is slower than others. But predictability has value, and we have demonstrated that over all these past years and, dare I say, even these past weeks: we are where you know we will go. That's not bad, in times like these, believe me.' According to major media reports, Macron's office expressed surprise at Trump's criticism of France for not letting planes carrying military supplies for the conflict fly over its territory.
In Asia, Macron sought cooperation with Japan and South Korea on the Strait crisis and energy security. He met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo and spoke of their cooperation in the face of the 'current energy crisis,' with multiple reports indicating Japan depends on the Middle East for 95% of its oil imports and has had to dip into strategic stockpiles to temper the impact of rising fuel prices since the start of the war. Macron said, 'We share a belief in international law and in the international order based on the United Nations Charter, and we also believe in the democratic values that we defend. This is why...we both advocate the return to peace, to a ceasefire, to calm, and to the free movement of people and goods through the Strait of Hormuz.' Takaichi said the two leaders agreed 'on the importance of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining a stable supply of essential materials, and calming the situation as soon as possible.' Macron also told South Korean President Lee Jae-myung that the two countries can play a role in helping to stabilise the situation in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz. Lee said the two affirmed 'their resolves to cooperate to secure the safe shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.' However, the two leaders did not take questions and did not elaborate on how they would help reopen the strait.
The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage. They must cherish it. They must grab it and cherish it, they can do it easily. We will be helpful but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on.
On the diplomatic front, Iran warned the UN Security Council against any 'provocative action,' ahead of a scheduled vote on a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz that ended up being postponed. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, 'Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation.' A scheduled UN Security Council vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was postponed, with no new date scheduled.
Build up some delayed courage.
There are those who advocate for the liberation of the Strait of Hormuz by force through a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States.
Not elegant, nor up to standard.
It is not our operation.
No, no, I don't need them when the war is over, Emmanuel.
I'm well aware that sometimes Europe can be seen as a continent that is slower than others. But predictability has value, and we have demonstrated that over all these past years and, dare I say, even these past weeks: we are where you know we will go. That's not bad, in times like these, believe me.
It is absolutely true that France, which has not been consulted and is not part of this military offensive launched by the United States and Israel, is not taking part in it.
We share a belief in international law and in the international order based on the United Nations Charter, and we also believe in the democratic values that we defend. This is why...we both advocate the return to peace, to a ceasefire, to calm, and to the free movement of people and goods through the Strait of Hormuz.
On the importance of ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining a stable supply of essential materials, and calming the situation as soon as possible.
Their resolves to cooperate to secure the safe shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.
Let South Korea, you know, we only have 45,000 soldiers in harm’s way over there, right next to a nuclear force, let South Korea do it. Let Japan do it. They get 90% of their oil from the strait. Let China do it.
Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation.
With the international environment increasingly severe, I believe it is especially meaningful for the Japanese and French leaders to deepen our friendship and cooperation.
That’s not for us. That’ll be for France and whoever’s using the strait.