France: Hormuz operations are ‘defensive only’

The French government has moved to de-escalate tensions with Tehran by emphasising the purely defensive nature of its planned naval activities in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on BFMTV, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon stated: “We have said it very clearly and consistently from the start: it is an exclusively defensive posture.”

Reopening the strait

Bregeon explained that France, in coordination with the UK and other partners, seeks to support the restoration of navigation through the strategic waterway. “We have taken an initiative to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, again in an exclusively defensive posture, in coordination with the different forces in the region when security conditions allow,” she said. She added that President Emmanuel Macron has “repeatedly” underlined France’s position and rejected any suggestion of offensive intent. The deployment of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle towards the southern Red Sea, she noted, is aimed at supporting maritime security operations.

Iranian warnings and wider context

Iran has previously warned that any French or British naval deployment in or near the Strait of Hormuz would face a “decisive and immediate response” from its armed forces. The strait has been largely closed since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks and the closure of the waterway. A Pakistani-mediated ceasefire took effect on April 8 but failed to produce a lasting agreement, later extended indefinitely by President Trump.