Kinshasa, March 17th, 2026 (CPA). – The French President Emmanuel Macron has affirmed on Tuesday that his country did not choose the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, emphasising that Paris is adopting a purely defensive stance, have reported international media. “France did not choose this war; we are not involved. Paris is adopting a purely defensive stance,” has declared Emmanuel Macron. The French President has reaffirmed France’s position of active neutrality in this conflict. He has also specified that the French priorities remain the protection of its nationals, as well as the security of diplomatic and military installations in the region. “Our objectives are clear: to protect our interests and to limit the geographical spread of the conflict as much as possible,” he has said. Emmanuel Macron has evoked the need to maintain close coordination with international partners, emphasising the importance of guaranteeing freedom of navigation and maritime security in an area vital to world trade. This declaration comes against a context of growing tensions in the Middle East, where the security of the Strait of Hormuz – a key passage for oil exports – constitutes a major strategic issue.
“France will never take part in operations to open the Strait of Hormuz”
French President Emmanuel Macron has firmly ruled out any French involvement in potential operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which lies at the heart of tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States. “France will never take part in operations of opening and liberating the Strait of Hormuz,” the French leader has insisted, while Donald Trump has repeatedly called on Western nations to come to the aid of the United States and Israel in the Strait of Hormuz, a central strategic issue in the conflict with Iran. “France will, however, stand ready to participate in ship escorts once the situation has calmed down,” he has continued.
Donald Trump says he ‘no longer needs help’ from NATO countries
For his part, US President Donald Trump has assured that he ‘no longer needs help’, after his request for assistance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has been rejected by the majority of the United States’ allies. “We no longer need and no longer want help from NATO countries. We have never needed it,” has indicated the US president. “The United States have been informed by most of our NATO ‘allies’ that they do not wish to be involved in our military operation against the Iranian terrorist regime,” he has said. ACP/