France Willing to Help Secure Strait of Hormuz Only After Tensions De-escalate, Says Macron

Kathmandu. France has stated that it is ready to help secure vessels through the 'Strait of Hormuz' only after the current situation becomes 'calm'.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Tuesday that it is impossible to secure vessels transporting materials, including fuel, in the current volatile situation.

He said, "France is ready to help secure vessels through the 'Strait of Hormuz' only after the current situation becomes 'calm'."

Following a request from US President Donald Trump to help secure the waterway closed by Iran, President Macron said, "We are not parties to the conflict, so France will never participate in an operation to free or open the 'Strait of Hormuz' in the current situation."

"However, we are confident that once the situation calms down, we will be ready, along with other nations, to take responsibility for a security monitoring system."

After the US and Israel attacked Iranian territory, Iran closed the 'Strait of Hormuz', a passage through which about 20 percent of the world's fuel supply passes. Following this, US President Donald Trump had urged world powers to cooperate in securing the passage of ships through the strait.