Macron Pushes To Reopen Hormuz As Energy Crisis Looms

Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed his commitment to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that restoring free passage through the critical route remains a top priority amid rising global tensions.

Speaking on Saturday at a joint press conference in Athens alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron noted that uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions could itself trigger supply disruptions, even before actual shortages occur.

“Our goal is to achieve a full reopening in the coming days and weeks, in accordance with international law, guaranteeing freedom of navigation without ⁠tolls on the Strait of Hormuz. Then things can gradually return to normal,” Macron said.

His comments come a day after Patrick Pouyanne, chief executive of TotalEnergies, warned that prolonged conflict involving Iran could severely strain global energy supply.

Pouyanne, speaking on Friday at the World Policy Conference near Paris, urged urgent action to restore operations along the strait, which typically accounts for roughly 20 per cent of global oil and gas transit.

“If ‌it ⁠lasts two, three months more, we are entering in a world of scarcity of energy, which Asian countries have already suffered,” Pouyanne said. “You cannot have 20 per cent of the oil and gas of the planet being stranded and ⁠not accessible without major consequences.”

Shipping activity along the waterway, an essential corridor not just for energy supplies but also for goods such as fertilisers and pharmaceuticals, has been severely disrupted amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Iran has reportedly seized several container vessels, while the United States has imposed restrictions on Iranian ports, further tightening movement.

Amid the escalating situation, several countries have indicated readiness to participate in a joint maritime security initiative spearheaded by France and Britain to safeguard vessels in the strait once conditions improve. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained that Washington can manage the situation independently without allied assistance.

“We’re all in the same boat, and it’s not a boat we chose, ⁠if I may say. We’re victims of geopolitics and we’re victims of this war that started several months ago,” Macron said.