TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The President of France Emmanuel Macron has affirmed that his country will not take part in the United States (US)' military operation to free ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement was made on Monday, May 4, 2026, during the High-Level Conference of the European Political Community in Yerevan, Armenia.
A day earlier, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced Project Freedom to assist the blocked ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) mentioned that military support in the operation includes guided-missile destroyers, over 100 ground and naval-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 personnel. The official operation started on Monday morning. "We will not take part in armed operations that, in my opinion, lack clarity," Macron told reporters.
Nevertheless, Macron still calls for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened through an agreement between Iran and the United States. He emphasized that only a coordinated position between Tehran and Washington could ensure the continuous flow of shipping traffic in the vital route.
Tensions in the region have escalated since February 28, when the US and Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran. On April 7, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. However, further negotiations in Islamabad ended without an agreement, while the US began imposing blockades on Iranian ports. Several mediators are now trying to arrange a new round of talks.
Read: Trump Prepares Project Freedom, Iran: Stay Away from Strait of Hormuz
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