Macron Rebukes Trump on Iran War: You Shouldn't Talk Every Day

French President Emmanuel Macron considers a military operation to free the Strait of Hormuz an unrealistic option. He is pushing for a ceasefire and a return to diplomatic channels.

“There are parties advocating the violent liberation of the Strait of Hormuz through military operations, a position sometimes expressed by the United States,” Macron said during his visit to South Korea, as reported by AFP on Thursday (2/4/2026), quoted from detikNews.

“I say ‘sometimes’ because it varies; it is not an option we have ever chosen, and we consider it unrealistic,” he added.

He stated that a military operation in the Strait of Hormuz area would take a long time and carry high risks. Ships passing through would instead be vulnerable to threats from the coast, including from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. According to him, the best solution must involve Iran.

“This can only be done together with Iran,” he said.

It is known that the Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global oil distribution. The conflict has disrupted this route for several weeks, impacting the rise in global energy prices.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is said to have made the reopening of the strait a condition for a ceasefire. Trump also asked countries dependent on the route to help guard it.

Previously, Trump even said that countries like Japan, China, and South Korea should take a greater role.

“You know, we only have 45,000 troops in danger there, right next to a nuclear power. Let South Korea do it,” Trump said, referring to North Korea.

“Let Japan do it. They get 90 per cent of their oil from that strait. Let China do it. Let them all do it. Why are we doing this?” he continued.

Regarding this, Macron expressed his disappointment over Trump’s statements on the conflict. He then mocked Trump’s frequent changing remarks.

“You need to be serious. If you want to be serious, you don’t say the opposite every day of what you said the day before. And perhaps you shouldn’t talk every day,” he said.

The French President also said that Trump—who on Wednesday mocked Macron’s marriage and accent—was damaging the NATO alliance.

“If you create doubt every day about your commitments, you will erode it,” Macron said, adding that there was “too much talk… that veers off in all directions”.

The comment about his marriage was “not elegant and not up to standard” and “not worth a response.”