MACRON WARNS IRAN AGAINST IMPOSING STRAIT OF HORMUZ TOLLS, CITING VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stern warning to Tehran on Monday, asserting that the international community will not tolerate Iran imposing transit tolls or taxes on commercial shipping vessels navigating through the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to the national broadcaster TF1 on the opening day of the 43rd G7 summit in the alpine resort town of Évian-les-Bains, Macron reacted firmly to reports from Iran’s Fars News Agency suggesting that Tehran intended to leverage its geographic control of the channel by collecting maritime fees as part of its domestic policy.
"We defend international law, and we will do everything in our power to ensure there is no toll," Macron declared, emphasizing that free transit through international waterways must remain absolute.
Defending Free Navigation and Global Price Stability
The French President argued that allowing Iran to impose unilateral passage fees would set a catastrophic legal precedent for international shipping lanes across the planet, driving up global commodity prices and worsening inflation. Western and European economies have been waiting impatiently for the crucial chokepoint to reopen following a turbulent three-month maritime conflict that severely constricted global oil and gas markets.
While welcoming the news of the 14-point framework agreement signed between Washington and Tehran to end the war, Macron firmly dismissed any narrative framing the compromise as a geopolitical victory for the Islamic Republic.
"I would be patient and prudent," Macron noted regarding the truce. "As you know, we didn't participate in that offensive. So our objective now is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. And indeed, there shouldn't be any tolls or anything that would enrich those in power."
Joint European Military Mission Stands Ready
To guarantee that traffic resumes safely and peacefully, Macron revealed that France and the United Kingdom have already established a highly synchronized maritime stabilization task force. Allied nations—including the Netherlands and Italy—have already deployed assets to the region to assist with critical security protocols, such as scanning for and clearing naval mines.
The French military is prepared to move on an incredibly short timeline to enforce freedom of navigation if Tehran attempts to disrupt commercial shipping fleets:
Task Force Logistics: France and the UK are prepared to immediately deploy fighter aircraft, specialized naval frigates, and expert mine-clearance teams.
The Charles de Gaulle: France's flagship nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is stationed on high alert and can be fully positioned in the zone within a brief two to three day window.
Regional Cooperation: Macron confirmed that regional stakeholders, including the Sultanate of Oman, have already officially consented to the Western military escort framework.
Beyond freedom of navigation, Macron added that G7 partners will use the three-day summit to push for comprehensive, long-term verification parameters regarding Iran’s ballistic missile program. France is insisting that Iran's current stockpiles of highly enriched uranium must be systematically neutralized and permanently placed under the absolute supervision of the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
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