Iran Never Acquires Nuclear Weapons: Macron Calls For New Political Framework, Restoration Of Hormuz Navigation

As the war in Iran continues to fuel instability across West Asia, French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Tehran to immediately stop attacks against countries in the region, whether carried out directly or through allied groups. He also stated that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be restored as soon as possible.

Macron said he conveyed the message during a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging him to de-escalate hostilities that have increasingly spilled beyond Iran’s borders. “I asked President Pezeshkian to put an immediate end to attacks against countries in the Middle East, whether directly or through proxies, including in Lebanon and Iraq,” Macron said in a post on X.

The appeal comes as regional tensions surge amid missile strikes, drone attacks and mounting military deployments, raising fears of a broader conflict across the Gulf and Levant.

France’s military actions ‘strictly defensive’

In a post on X shared on Sunday (March 15, 2026), French President Macron also pushed back against criticism of Western military activities in the region, stressing that France’s actions are purely defensive. Paris is focused on protecting its national interests, regional partners and key maritime routes amid the ongoing crisis.

“France is acting within a strictly defensive framework aimed at protecting its interests, its regional partners and freedom of navigation,” Macron said, adding that any targeting of France or its assets would be unacceptable, signalling a firm stance as tensions between Iran and Western allies continue to intensify.

Macron calls for immediate restoration of Strait of Hormuz

A major concern for global powers remains the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints through which nearly 20% of global oil shipments pass. The ongoing conflict has threatened shipping through the narrow waterway, triggering sharp volatility in energy markets and raising fears of global supply disruptions.

Macron stressed that restoring normal maritime movement must be a priority. “Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be restored as soon as possible,” he said.

The warning comes as several countries, including India and European states, are closely monitoring shipping routes through the Gulf amid heightened security risks.

New security framework to address Iran concerns

Beyond the immediate crisis, Macron said long-term stability in the Middle East would require a new political and security framework involving Iran and regional powers. The proposed framework, he said, must address multiple concerns raised by Western nations and Gulf allies.

These include Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its ballistic missile programme, support for regional armed groups. “Only a new political and security framework can ensure peace and security for all. Such a framework must guarantee that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, while also addressing the threats posed by its ballistic missile programme and its destabilising activities regionally and internationally,” he underlined.

Meanwhile, Macron’s intervention reflects growing international pressure on Iran as the conflict widens and threatens critical energy routes, regional stability and global economic security. With military tensions escalating and diplomatic efforts intensifying, world leaders are increasingly pushing Tehran to scale back hostilities.

“I also urged the Iranian President to allow Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris to return safely to France as soon as possible. Their ordeal has gone on for far too long, and they belong with their loved ones,” Macron added.