French President Emmanuel Macron denounced a “mistake on both sides,” American and Iranian, around the Strait of Hormuz, with the blockade weighing on oil prices and the global economy.
Published on: April 20, 2026 at 20:53 Updated on: April 20, 2026 at 21:05 Reading time: 1 min
Emmanuel Macron called to “return to calm” in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, April 20, during a press conference in Gdansk, Poland. The head of state was speaking alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “It is likely that following the American decision to maintain a targeted blockade on Hormuz, (…) the Iranian authorities have changed their initial position (…) It’s a mistake on both sides,” said Emmanuel Macron.
After announcing the opening of this maritime route on Friday, Iran reversed its decision on Saturday, reigniting tensions with the United States ahead of the upcoming expiration of their ceasefire. Tehran stated that the American blockade of Iranian ports was the reason behind the resumption of “strict control” of the strait. A vessel from the French maritime transport company CMA CGM was notably fired upon on Saturday in the Strait of Hormuz. “France was not specifically targeted,” clarified Emmanuel Macron. “All of this should not lead us to escalation. All of this should rather lead us to consolidate what was achieved on Friday, the unconditional reopening, without selection, without tolls in the Strait of Hormuz,” emphasized the French president. “And therefore, we must continue to calm spirits. (…) We remain on this line which consists of saying that things are resolved through diplomatic means. Everyone must return to calm,” he reiterated.
