French President Emmanuel Macron has denounced an “error by both sides”, American and Iranian, around the Strait of Hormuz, whose blockade weighs on oil prices and the global economy.
Published on 20/04/2026 20:53, Updated on 20/04/2026 21:05
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/2026/04/20/69e6458d65fb2265177363.jpg "War in the Middle East: Emmanuel Macron calls for return to calm in the Strait of Hormuz")
Emmanuel Macron called to “return to calm” in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, April 20th, during a press conference in Gdansk (Poland) with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “It is likely that following the U.S. decision to maintain a targeted blockade on Hormuz, (…) the Iranian authorities changed their initial position (…) It is an error by both states,” declared Emmanuel Macron.
After announcing the opening of this maritime route on Friday, Iran reversed its decision on Saturday, reigniting tensions with the United States before the upcoming expiration of their ceasefire. Tehran stated that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports was the reason behind the resumption of “strict control” of the strait. A ship from the French maritime transport company CMA CGM was reportedly fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. “France was not specifically targeted,” clarified Emmanuel Macron. “All of this should not lead us to escalation. All of this should lead us rather to consolidate what was obtained on Friday, the unconditional reopening, without selection, without tolls in the Strait of Hormuz,” emphasized the French president. “And so, we must continue to calm spirits. (…) We remain on the line that says things are resolved through diplomatic means. Everyone must return to calm,” he reiterated.
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