French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said he would press the other G7 leaders to endorse a defensive naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz, after the US and Iran reached an agreement to end the war.
France and the UK have been working for months to set up a mission in Hormuz, engaging with about 50 other states as they wait for security conditions to allow a deployment. Participants are ready to send frigates and mine clearance vessels to the strait, Mr Macron said.
“If the next few days show us that it's all good, then we will deploy with the British and we will lead this mission,” Mr Macron told broadcaster TF1. France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier can reach the region “within two or three days”, he added, speaking hours before the start of the summit.
Yet overshadowing the three-day summit in the spa town of Evian-les-Bains are fears that US President Donald Trump will leave before the end as he did last year in Canada.
In what is likely to be interpreted as a positive signal, Mr Trump said on arrival at his hotel that "everything was very nice." In an effort to persuade him to stay for the entire summit, Mr Macron has invited his US counterpart to a gala at Versailles Palace on Wednesday night.
Mr Trump is scheduled to have dinner with other G7 leaders before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Arab heads of state join them on Tuesday to discuss world crises.
Oman has already given its approval for the international naval coalition to escort ships through its territorial waters, Mr Macron said. Now, the discussion will focus on getting an agreement from the US and Iran.
Iran's nuclear ambitions
Broader negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme are to start after the US-Iran agreement is signed Friday in Switzerland. “We will do everything we can to make this agreement a reality, so that Hormuz can reopen peacefully and traffic can resume,” Mr Macron said.
The agreement includes a 60-day period for the US and Iran to agree on how Tehran will remove its highly enriched uranium.
This must be done either in Iran under the supervision of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, or the uranium must be moved to another country before being destroyed, Mr Macron said. “This agreement will provide for the lifting of sanctions on Iran – if it is good,” he added.
Leaders in Evian will also co-ordinate to oppose Iran's attempts to charge a toll for ships in the strait. Finding alternative routes to the waterway to reduce Iranian influence will be a priority, Mr Macron said. This includes building the infrastructure to strengthen routes for exports of Egyptian, Emirati or Saudi natural gas over land or across the Red Sea.
The French President was joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – also present at the G7 – in calling for Lebanon to also be included in a regional ceasefire.
Their statements came after Israeli leaders insisted their army would continue to occupy south Lebanon despite the wider Iran-US agreement.
“The Strait of Hormuz must reopen and freedom of navigation must be restored toll free. This is essential for the regional stability and of course for the global economy,” Ms von der Leyen said.
“The agreement should open the door to wider talks and lead to the end of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programmes. Let me also underline there can be no lasting peace while Lebanon remains in flames. We call for a genuine ceasefire and a full respect for Lebanese sovereignty.”
