Emmanuel Macron Calls for Strait of Hormuz Reopening After Meeting Masoud Pezeshkian

French President Emmanuel Macron called for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen, saying its closure has left oil and other cargo vessels stranded for two months amid a fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Macron said he met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and posted that he “expressed [his] deep concern over the ongoing escalation and condemned the unjustified strikes against Emirati civilian infrastructure and several ships.”

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He added that “All parties must lift the blockade of the Strait, without delay and without conditions,” and said the return of calm could advance negotiations on the nuclear issue, the ballistic issue and the regional situation.

In parallel, the Hill reported that Macron plans to speak with President Trump about Iran’s peace proposal and that the pre-positioning of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will help escort vessels safely through the strait as part of a multinational mission.

On a call with Macron, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington of “stabbing from behind” during negotiations, as tensions continue over the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing regional conflict.

In a statement published on the website of the Iranian President's office, Pezeshkian said US behaviour “has diverted the path of diplomacy toward threats, pressure and sanctions,” and added that Tehran no longer trusts Washington.

Al Jazeera

Pezeshkian said meaningful negotiations would require an end to hostilities and assurances that hostile actions against Iran would not recur, and he argued that any negotiation on full reopening requires lifting the naval blockade imposed by the United States.

The Hill, meanwhile, framed Macron’s position as urging “All parties must lift the blockade of the Strait,” while also saying Macron intends to discuss Iran’s peace proposal with President Trump.

As the dispute over Hormuz deepened, Al Jazeera reported that President Donald Trump said the US military operation to move stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz has been paused temporarily.

“United States President Donald Trump has said that the US military operation to move stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz has been paused temporarily”

Al Jazeera

Trump wrote that “Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time” while the blockade remains in full force and effect to see whether an agreement can be finalized and signed.

Al Jazeera also quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying “there’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first,” while warning that Iran must “pay a price” for efforts to control the strait.

The Hill added that Trump threatened to resume bombing if a deal between the U.S. and Iran falls apart, and it said at least two U.S. commercial ships and American destroyers have passed through the strait, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying so Tuesday.