By Enyichukwu Enemanna
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday met with his US counterpart, Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ongoing G7 summit in Evian, telling him that France could dispatch fighter aircraft as early as Tuesday to fly observation flights over the Strait of Hormuz and that France’s nuclear powered aircraft carrier, already in the Middle East, could help out quickly, too.
It is part of a pitch that France and other G7 allies are making at the summit to reopen the viral waterway as soon as possible, so that energy supplies could flow freely again to world markets, in the wake of the tentative U.S.-Iran deal to end the war.
“Within 48 hours, frigates could also be deployed. And within two to three days, the aircraft carrier,” Macron said.
Macron who is hosting the 3-day summit said discussions had taken place on the recently signed agreement concerning Iran, which he described as a significant step toward addressing the nuclear issue and broader regional stability.
“It’s a very important one, because first it will fix the nuclear issue, and it’s a very important matter for the whole world, and almost it will provide peace in Lebanon, and so we are ready to take our fair share of the burden and be part of the commitment of the international community in order to support this deal,” he said.
Macron said the agreement could also have wider implications for the global economy, stressing the importance of coordinated international engagement.
He also said G7 leaders would continue discussions on the war in Ukraine, including efforts to reach what he called a “solid and sustainable peace,” noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expected to join talks.
Macron said France and several partners had already outlined possible contributions within a multinational framework on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Macron stressed that any deployment would depend on coordination and requests from the US, Iran, and Oman.
“This is an offer; we stand ready to assist. It demonstrates the support of the international community, our determination to reopen the Strait, and, as the President (Trump) said, perhaps it will not be requested and perhaps it will not be necessary,” Macron said.
Trump in response said: “I don’t think we’re gonna need much help” because the strait is ”going to be open.”
“But I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a ship or two up here from a few countries. You’d be a great country to do it,” Trump said, addressing Macron.
