Macron: opening Hormuz by force is 'unrealistic' — France rejects military option for the strait

French President Emmanuel Macron made the statement on April 2 (D34) during a trip to South Korea, responding to Trump's challenge to US allies to work toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Macron's exact words (reporters, Seoul): 'Some people defend the idea of freeing the Strait of Hormuz by force via a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States, although it has varied.' 'This was never the option we have supported because it is unrealistic.' 'It would take forever, and would expose all those who go through the strait to risks from the guardians of the revolution but also ballistic missiles.' Context: Trump in his Wednesday night address urged US allies to take responsibility for securing Hormuz, while simultaneously saying he would not agree to a ceasefire until the waterway opened. Britain's foreign secretary is hosting an emergency virtual meeting on the blockade — without US participation. Strategic significance: France's explicit rejection of the military Hormuz option is the clearest European statement yet against any escalation in the Gulf shipping lanes. Macron's 'guardians of the revolution' reference (IRGC) notes that Iran has deployed naval forces and ballistic missiles capable of targeting any naval or military force attempting to reopen Hormuz. France's position — which likely reflects broader EU consensus — is that the strait can only be opened through diplomacy, not force. Source: Times of Israel April 2 live blog (Macron statement, Seoul, 11:15 UTC).