One day after French energy giant Total issued a stark warning about potential worldwide energy shortages if the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that his country is concentrating efforts on the full reopening of this critical waterway.
Kabul 24: Speaking at a joint press conference in Athens alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron stressed that the panic triggered by geopolitical uncertainty could itself lead to shortages, even before actual supply disruptions fully materialize.“Our goal is the complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days and weeks, in full compliance with international law and guaranteeing freedom of navigation without any tolls or fees,” Macron stated firmly.
He added: “Once this is achieved, the situation will gradually return to normal.”The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital chokepoints, through which approximately 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies pass. Since the outbreak of the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, commercial shipping traffic in the strait has been severely disrupted.
The waterway serves as a key route not only for energy but also for essential goods such as fertilizers and medicines.
Both Iran and the United States claim influence or control over this strategic passage.Total CEO Patrick Pouyanné issued a strong warning the previous day, saying: “If the closure of the Strait of Hormuz lasts another two or three months, we will enter a world of energy shortages — something Asian countries have already suffered from.”He further emphasized: “We cannot allow 20 percent of the planet’s oil and gas to remain unused and inaccessible without facing serious consequences.”Several countries have already signaled their willingness to join an international mission, led jointly by France and the United Kingdom, to protect commercial shipping in the strait, provided conditions allow.
Macron’s comments come amid rising global concerns over energy market instability caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could trigger sharp price increases and widespread economic fallout.
The French president is pushing for a diplomatic and multilateral approach, aiming to build a broad coalition of nations not directly involved in the conflict to ensure safe passage through the strait in accordance with international norms.
Successful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is seen as essential not only for stabilizing energy prices but also for preventing humanitarian crises linked to shortages of fertilizers (which directly impact global food security) and critical medicines.
France’s leadership in this initiative reflects an effort to de-escalate economic pressures and avoid turning the current tensions into a full-scale global energy disaster.
