<p class="wp-block-paragraph">French President Emmanuel Macron urged President Donald Trump on September 23, 2026, to quickly resolve the conflict regarding the Strait of Hormuz.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Macron did not directly blame Trump for the global energy issues stemming from the Iran war's effects on the Strait of Hormuz, but suggested during an ABC News interview that the U.S. may have "probably underestimated" Iran's strategy to leverage the waterway politically. He noted that approximately 20% of the world’s commercial oil and gas trade typically passes through this passage.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"I will not here blame anybody. We are where we are," Macron stated. "I think the U.S — I mean, your country — is the one able to fix this issue, and we need you. We have to fix this issue." </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While referring to the Iran war as a "mistake," Macron expressed that he maintains a "very good" relationship with Trump, emphasizing their frank discussions despite occasional disagreements. When asked about the possibility of French military involvement to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Macron indicated that France is "prepared to be more engaged." </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"I don’t want to engage in a confrontation with any country, but we are ready to be more engaged in order to protect some capacities in order to make this transit possible, yes," he added.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Macron's comments followed his announcement that France and the United States are collaborating to enhance freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He provided limited details in a post on X, stating that the initiative aims to alleviate tensions in energy markets while safeguarding critical infrastructure in the Middle East.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This development coincided with Macron's meeting with Trump in New York during the U.N. General Assembly.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron, during the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in New York. " class="wp-image-4739860" height="683" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AP25266701495201.jpg?w=696" width="1024" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron during the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)</figcaption></figure>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Macron described their discussion as "constructive" and expressed a "willingness to reopen Hormuz," revealing that "several solutions were discussed … which would make it possible, without a comprehensive deal, to find ways and means of allowing more container ships and tankers to go through" the Strait of Hormuz.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">France is in the process of drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution in collaboration with the U.S. to establish an international mission aimed at restoring movement in the Strait of Hormuz, according to diplomats.</p>