NATO not designed for Strait of Hormuz operations, says France

NATO is not intended to conduct operations in the Strait of Hormuz, French Deputy Defense Minister Alice Rufo said Wednesday, responding to recent US criticism over Paris’s stance on the Iran war. Speaking at a forum organized by Le Point, Rufo emphasized that deploying the alliance in the strategic waterway “would not respect international law.”

Alliance’s core mission is Euro-Atlantic defense

“Let me recall what NATO is: it is a military alliance concerned with the security of territories, of the Euro-Atlantic area,” Rufo said. She noted that France did not support a US-led initiative to reopen the strait through a coalition, explaining that Paris prefers “to work toward restoring flows and freedom of maritime navigation, and to do so through non-offensive means.” She acknowledged US “irritation” but stood by France’s position.

Collective defense, not unilateral action

Rufo stressed that NATO’s Article 5 is based on collective defense, stating: “It is not one protecting another, it is collective. It is called collective defense, and deterrence is also collective.” She warned that the alliance is strongest when it avoids division and remains focused on its core mission.

Europe must assume greater defense role

Speaking on behalf of “a founding country of the Atlantic alliance and of the European Union,” Rufo said Europe must take on a greater share of its own defense—a message she noted is also increasingly coming from Washington. She called for reliability, clarity, and predictability among allies, adding: “What we want is to advance European defense within the Atlantic alliance. This creates reliability and trust — and trust is more powerful.”