There was a surprising moment at the beginning of the third week of the war in Iran, note Agence France-Presse and BFM TV, writes BTA.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump called on other countries to participate together with his country in a mission to guarantee the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The American leader stressed that other countries should join quickly and enthusiastically in US efforts to restore traffic along this key sea artery for the world. Trump nevertheless stressed that in principle his country could cope with this task on its own, but added that the other NATO countries should jump in and help the US, because the US has been helping them for years. He also pointed out that the level of enthusiasm on the part of the other allies of The alliance is important to him. Trump hinted that some countries are already ready to help the United States, but he never named them by name.
“This is really an incredible request from Trump“, commented Philip Gordon, former national security adviser to former US Vice Prime Minister, Democrat Kamala Harris, and today an expert at the Brookings Institution think tank, reported Agence France-Presse. According to Gordon, this request for help comes after months in which Trump exerted pressure on his allies by imposing tariffs, vigorously criticized NATO, threatened the territorial integrity of an alliance member country - Denmark, and downplayed the victims suffered by European countries in the war in Afghanistan. “Imagine you are a European leader. How do you explain to your compatriots that they have to engage in a mission in which there is a risk to human life, and at the call of a president, "who has been insulting and humiliating your country for 15 months," Gordon said.
According to Erwan Lagadek, a professor at George Washington University, the United States, together with Israel, is unilaterally starting a war against Iran without consulting its allies and is now hoping that the allies will come to repair the damage caused by the war. In addition, NATO does not have that many naval assets and, ironically, these assets were previously intended to be deployed in the Arctic region to calm Trump's ambitions regarding the Danish territory of Greenland, the expert said.
None of the US's European allies jumped to help Trump in the Strait of Hormuz, so Trump had no way of measuring their enthusiasm at all, Agence France-Presse added. The refusal of the EU allies came after a meeting of foreign ministers of the eurozone member states, which took place on Monday. After its end, the EU's top diplomat, Kaia Kallas, said that ministers had rejected the idea of deploying the European mission "Aspides" in the Strait of Hormuz as a possibility, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, DPA and Euronews reported. "For the moment, there is no desire to change the mandate of "Aspides", added Kallas.
This EU naval mission includes three warships that are deployed in the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels from attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels, who are allies of Iran in the so-called "Axis of Evil". In addition, the European allies have not shown any readiness to change their other naval mission - "Atalanta", which fights against pirate raids in the Horn of Africa and in the western part of Indian Ocean.
However, it remains a mystery what France's position on the issue is, after its Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot avoided commenting to journalists after the meeting of foreign ministers on Monday on the topic of Trump's request, notes “Euractive“. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the entire Middle East escalation, France's number one diplomat has left the leading role in comments and reactions to French President Emmanuel Macron, who at the beginning of Trump's second term last year boasted that he knew how to tell the truth on a given issue directly and boldly to the American leader and for him to accept it, respecting the courage of his interlocutor.
On March 9, during a visit to Cyprus, Macron mentioned an international mission that would be purely defensive in nature to open the Strait of Hormuz, but did not specify what role the "Aspides" mission could play in these efforts. However, Macron said at the time that such an international mission could only exist after the "hottest phase of the conflict" had passed. Back on March 3, in a speech to his compatriots dedicated to the conflict in Iran, Macron said that he wanted to build a coalition to restore and secure maritime traffic from the Gulf to the Suez Canal, recall Agence France-Presse, "Le Figaro", BFM TV and the specialized publication "Mer à Marin". Macron's mention of this coalition on March 3 reminded many that he, along with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are co-initiators of another coalition - the "Coalition of the Willing", which has been acting in support of Kiev for a year. So there were hypotheses that perhaps France, the creator of coalitions in support of allies, would be among the countries that would now enthusiastically respond to Trump's call for help.
Trump himself told the French media outlet L'Equipe on Monday: "I think Macron will help us". He said that he had spoken to the French leader by phone and that as a result of the conversation he would give him "a rating of 8 out of 10". "It wasn't perfect, but this is France. "I don't expect Macron to be perfect," Trump told L.E.I. This further suggested that Macron would support Trump's call in some way, although not on the scale he requested.
These hypotheses were dashed yesterday when Macron clearly stated that there was no question of France engaging in operations to secure the Strait of Hormuz in the current context of bombing, Agence France-Presse, Reuters and BMM TV reported. But once the situation calms down, France could participate in escorting ships in this strategic sea route, Macron added. "We are not a party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context," Macron stressed. "But we are convinced that when the situation calms down, that is, when the bombing stops, we are ready, with other countries, to take responsibility for establishing a system of escorts of warships for oil tankers and container ships in the strait," he said. This work involves discussions, communication procedures and information exchange in order to avoid problems with Iran, he added. Macron added that there have already been discussions in this direction with India and several European or regional partners, but stressed that the scope of Operation Aspides should not be expanded.
Macron's refusal, in addition to the general refusal by the EU, and the specific refusals by a number of countries, such as Germany and the UK, irritated the American leader, who defined them as "a really stupid mistake," world agencies reported. In "Truth Social," Trump wrote that their help was no longer needed. on securing the Strait of Hormuz and mentioned that in addition to the alliance allies, Japan, South Korea and Australia have also refused to help, reported Agence France-Presse.
“I have been saying for a long time that I wonder if NATO will ever be there (in the Middle East escalation) with us. So this was a big test because we don't need them, but they had to be there“, Trump insisted during a briefing in the Oval Office of the White House. “We helped Ukraine, and they are not helping with Iran, and everyone recognizes that Iran should not have nuclear weapons“, Trump said. “This is a very bad thing for NATO“, he added and stressed that he believes that the United States was not obligated to help Europe with Ukraine, reported Agence France-Presse. Asked about his intentions regarding the transatlantic defense alliance, the pillar of which is the United States, the Republican said: “I have nothing specific in mind“, but he mentioned thinking about the spending that the United States makes on NATO, the agency notes.
As for the refusal by the French president, Trump said that he does not accept his opinion at all because Macron will not take office soon, recall BFM TV and France Press. In this way, Trump once again referred to the fact that there will be presidential elections in France next year and that Macron is constitutionally not entitled to appear in them. Trump made similar comments regarding Macron and in connection with the French leader's positions on Greenland.
Is there any reason for Trump to be so angry with the French leader for refusing to respond to his calls for help now? France has already clearly stated its readiness to help in the region affected by the escalation. As early as March 2, French Foreign Minister Barrot said that France was ready to participate in the defense of the Gulf countries and Jordan, which had become the target of attacks by Iran, “in accordance with the agreements that bind it with its partners and with the principle of collective self-defense“, recalls “Figaro“. “To the friendly countries that were deliberately attacked by the missiles and drones of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and dragged into a war that they did not choose - Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan - France expresses its full support and solidarity. "It is ready to participate in their defense," Barrot said at a press conference.
The day after, Macron made it clear in his televised address to his compatriots that Iran bears the main responsibility for the current war. This responsibility, according to the French leader, stems from Iran's dangerous nuclear program and from the order that the regime in Tehran issued to Iranian security forces to shoot at its own people during the large January protests. But Macron also said that "the United States and Israel have decided to launch military operations against Iran in violation of international law - something that we cannot approve of," according to Agence France-Presse, Brut and BFM TV. "But the fact remains that history never mourns the executioners of its own people," Macron added, stressing that none of the responsible representatives now eliminated in Iran will be pitied.
When Cyprus also turned out to be an indirect victim of the escalation, Macron visited that country as a sign of solidarity with it and sent the French aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" to the Eastern Mediterranean. It was during his visit to Cyprus and then during a meeting with the military of the "Charles de Gaulle" that Macron highlighted the support France provides to its allies in the region, the specialized publication "Zone Militaire" recalls, as well as Agence France-Presse, BFM TV and "Euronews". "The French presence, which will be deployed from the Eastern Mediterranean to the area near the Strait of Hormuz, includes 8 frigates, 2 amphibious helicopter carriers and our aircraft carrier," Macron specified. To this can be added the nuclear submarine included in the aircraft carrier strike group, as well as the auxiliary ship "Jacques Chevalier". In addition, the multi-purpose frigate "Language" is also already deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean, shortly before the arrival there of the "Charles de Gaulle" with its escort, consisting of an air defense frigate and 2 multi-purpose frigates. On March 6, the amphibious helicopter carrier "Tonner" also sailed from France for the region along with the Courbet-type frigate, writes Zon Militaire.
France is providing diplomatic and military assistance to Middle Eastern countries indirectly affected by the conflict. Some of them, such as the UAE, have directly requested assistance from Paris to strengthen their defense capabilities against missile and drone attacks, reports 20 Minutes. At the UN Security Council on March 11, France co-sponsored Resolution 2817, which strongly condemned Iran's attacks on its Gulf neighbors. Paris also supports the strengthening of EU sanctions against Iran, in particular those in response to its nuclear activities and destabilization of the region. On March 15, French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin told Journal du Dimanche that French Rafale fighter jets were sent to patrol over the territory of the UAE and intercept Iranian drones. Also on March 15, Macron said that he had called on Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian to immediately end attacks on Middle Eastern countries carried out directly by Iran or by its regional proxies, reported “France 24“.
On March 12, France suffered its first casualty in the war in the Middle East. A French soldier was killed and six French servicemen were injured in a drone attack in Iraqi Kurdistan. The drone hit the Kurdish base “Mala Kara“ there, where the French military was stationed. There are also American, British and Italian military personnel in this part of Iraq, stationed there as part of the anti-jihadist coalition against “Islamic State“ back in 2014, recalls Agence France-Presse. The French military, who were attacked on March 12, were involved in training local soldiers in the fight against terrorism. Because of this, they incurred threats from Iraqi pro-Iranian groups. According to Macron, the war in Iran does not justify such attacks on French interests in the region. He emphasized that all French actions in the region since the beginning of the conflict have been entirely defensive in nature, according to Agence France-Presse.
France has military bases in the UAE, Iraq and Syria. There have also been attacks on UAE bases, which have not claimed any lives. But France is also present with 700 soldiers in the UN multinational force in Lebanon, and the situation in that country has traditionally always interested Paris. Now the conflict in Iran has spread to Lebanon, after the Tehran-backed Shiite movement “Hezbollah“ - another member of the “Axis of Evil” - began shelling Israel from there in solidarity with Iran. In response, Israel launched a new campaign of air strikes and limited ground operations, which led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people and hundreds of casualties on Lebanese territory. Lebanon asked for support from France. In response, France announced a threefold increase in its humanitarian aid to that country. On March 12, 2026, Paris delivered 60 tons of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Macron announced the provision of dozens of armored vehicles and operational and logistical support for the Lebanese armed forces, Reuters recalls. France had planned a conference in support of the Lebanese army and Lebanese security for March 5, but it was ultimately postponed to April. Paris is actively offering to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Back on March 5, Macron said in “Ex“ that he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from a ground offensive in Lebanon and to preserve Lebanese territorial integrity.
At the same time, the American publication “Axios“ wrote, citing three sources, that the French government had prepared a draft proposal for an end to the war in Lebanon, which requires the Lebanese government to take the unprecedented step of recognizing Israel. The Lebanese government has accepted the plan as a basis for peace talks, deeply concerned that renewed war could devastate the country, the American publication commented. Under the French proposal, Israel and Lebanon would begin talks with the support of the United States and France on a "political declaration" to be agreed within a month. The talks would begin at the level of senior diplomats before moving on to discussions at the level of senior political leaders. French authorities wanted the talks to be held in Paris. The "political declaration", to be agreed within a month, would include initial recognition of Israel by Lebanon and a commitment by the Lebanese government to respect Israel's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel and Lebanon would also reaffirm their commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, as well as to the 2024 ceasefire agreement. The Lebanese government would commit to preventing attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory and to implementing its own plan to disarm Hezbollah and prohibit its military activities. The French proposal would see Lebanese armed forces stationed south of the Litani River. In parallel, Israel would withdraw within a month from territories it has seized since the start of the current war, the sources cited by "Axios" said. Israel and Lebanon would commit to using a U.S.-led monitoring mechanism to address ceasefire violations and imminent threats. The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon would verify the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River, while a coalition of countries authorized by the UN Security Council would monitor the disarmament of the movement in the rest of Lebanon. The proposal calls for Lebanon to declare its readiness to begin negotiations on a permanent non-aggression pact with Israel. Such a pact would be signed within two months and would end the formal state of war between the two countries, which has lasted since the creation of Israel in 1948, Axios reported. The pact would commit Israel and Lebanon to resolving their disputes peacefully and establishing security mechanisms. After the non-aggression pact is signed, Israel would withdraw from five positions in southern Lebanon that Israeli forces have controlled since November 2024. The final phase of the French plan would involve finalizing the border between Israel and Lebanon, as well as the border between Lebanon and Syria, by the end of 2026. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has already appointed a negotiating team for possible talks with Israel, Axios reported. On Saturday, however, French Foreign Minister Barrot said that France has no plan for Lebanon, Agence France-Presse recalls.
Due to the escalation in the Middle East, France also organized a videoconference meeting of the G-7, dedicated to the topic of rising energy prices and oil and natural gas reserves. After the meeting, Paris, which is the rotating chairman of the G-7, assured that the paralysis of oil and natural gas supplies from the Middle East is not a reason to lift the sanctions imposed on Russia over its war against Ukraine. On the same day, 32 countries of the International Energy Agency, based in Paris, agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves. They will be offered to the market in order to counteract the surge in prices due to the war in the Middle East. This was welcomed by the G-7.
Many analysts emphasized that the Middle East crisis has overshadowed the topic of the war in Ukraine. Precisely to prove that this is not the case, on March 13, Macron received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace for the 12th time and assured him that nothing would distract attention from the war in Ukraine, and that the current price of oil should in no way force the West to reconsider its sanctions policy towards Russia. These assurances came at a time when the United States, a member of the G-7, announced on March 12 that it would allow the sale of Russian oil transported by ships until April 11. This was perceived as a certain victory for Russia, and Zelensky criticized this American move and said that it would pour $ 10 billion into Moscow's budget, which it would spend on drones and other weapons, which it would then use against Kiev. These drones would also be used against Iran's neighbors, Zelensky warned. Ukrainian specialists have already gone to the Gulf countries to share their experience in intercepting Iranian-made drones, and Zelensky suggested developing this prevention in cooperation with European countries, commented Agence France-Presse.
During the Ukrainian leader's visit to Paris, Macron assured him that Ukraine would also receive the promised loan of 90 billion euros from the EU. So far, Hungary is opposed to this, although it agreed in principle last year. Its objections are related to the repair of a Ukrainian section of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline, through which Hungary receives Russian oil. According to Ukrainian authorities, the section was damaged in a Russian strike. Budapest accuses Kiev of delaying the repair. However, progress was made on this issue yesterday. The EU offered Ukraine assistance in the repairs, and Ukraine accepted the offer, which would also unblock the release of the 90 billion for Kiev.
After the meeting with Macron in Paris, Zelensky also said that Ukraine had been promised one battery of the new Franco-Italian air defense system "SAMP/TNG" this year. This new-generation system is capable of intercepting ballistic and hypersonic missiles. It uses a new radar for the purpose and new "Aster 30 B1NT" missiles, which are now being tested and which could reach a target flying at an altitude of 25,000 meters, reported Agence France-Presse. One battery of the old version of the SAMP/T system has already been sent to Ukraine from Italy. But the new version is seen as an alternative to the American "Patriot" and will be sent to Ukraine for testing on the battlefield there, Agence France-Presse said.