France – US: NATO serves Euro-Atlantic security, not offensive operations in Strait of Hormuz
France responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to withdraw the United States from NATO by stating that the military alliance was established to ensure security in the Euro-Atlantic region, not to conduct offensive operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
This was reported by Reuters, according to Censor.NET.
Statement by France
Trump told Reuters that later on Wednesday, in an address to the nation, he would state that he was "absolutely" considering withdrawing the U.S. from NATO, echoing comments he made in an interview with the British newspaper *The Daily Telegraph* after allies failed to support U.S. military action against Iran.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously proposed that any action in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital artery for global oil supplies that Iran has effectively blocked—be carried out under the auspices of the UN. He noted that international efforts can only take place once military hostilities have subsided, consultations have been held with insurance and shipping companies, and Iran has given its consent.
"Let me remind you what NATO is. It is a military alliance dedicated to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. It is not intended to conduct operations in the Strait of Hormuz, which would be a violation of international law," said Deputy Minister of Defense Alice Rufo at the "War and Peace" conference in Paris.
Ruffo, a close ally of Macron and one of his top diplomats, noted that she understands the Americans’ frustration over France’s refusal to join the coalition aimed at immediately reopening the strait.
However, Paris advocates for the development of a plan to restore transit and freedom of navigation "without resorting to military means," she noted.
"I speak on behalf of a country that is a founding member of the Atlantic Alliance (NATO) and a founding member of the European Union, and which has been arguing for the past 20 years that Europeans must shoulder a greater share of the responsibility for collective defense in Europe," Rufo added.
What happened before?
- As reported, on March 27, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. The statement noted that all vessels bound for or departing from ports associated with the "Israeli-American alliance" are prohibited from passing through, regardless of their route.
- At the same time, Marco Rubio stated that U.S. allies should play a more active role in ensuring the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating situation in the region.
