French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that using military force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would be “unrealistic”, as more than 40 countries held talks on restoring access to the vital shipping route, compromised by the war in the Middle East.
The strait normally carries around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, but has been effectively closed by Iran amid a widening regional conflict.
“We have today foreign ministers and representatives from more than 40 countries gathered to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, the consequences of its closure, the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation for international shipping, and our firm international determination to see the strait reopened,” British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said at the start of a virtual meeting.
The meeting was announced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as United States President Donald Trump urged countries that depend on the route to take action.
Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since 28 February, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israel, US bases and Gulf states.
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Global economy hit
Iran has since effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz, causing a sharp rise in oil and gas prices.
Only a limited number of vessels – mainly from Iran, the United Arab Emirates, India, China and Saudi Arabia – are still passing through, with Iran saying the route remains closed to its “enemies”.
Trump called on allies to intervene. “Go to the strait, seize it, protect it, use it,” he said on Wednesday, criticising NATO partners for not supporting the US since the conflict began.
“Some people defend the idea of freeing the Strait of Hormuz by force via a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States, although it has varied,” Macron told reporters during a trip to South Korea.
“This was never the option we have supported because it is unrealistic. It would take forever, and would expose all those who go through the Hormuz Strait to risks from the guardians of the revolution but also ballistic missiles."
The maritime passages with a chokehold on the global economy
Diplomacy over force
The initiative to secure the strait was launched in mid-March by six countries – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan.
Several of them have said no action can be taken while the conflict continues.
Macron said reopening the strait would require dialogue with Tehran. “What we have said from the beginning is that this strait must be reopened because it is strategic for energy flows, fertilisers and international trade, but that it can only be done in consultation with Iran."
He also responded to Trump’s criticism of NATO allies, saying: “They can deplore the fact they’re not being helped, but that’s not our operation. We want peace as soon as possible."
Starmer said on Wednesday the meeting would be followed by talks between military planners, to examine how countries could mobilise their capabilities to make the strait safe once the fighting ends.
(with AFP)
