Macron: France and UK ready to deploy carrier and minesweepers to reopen Strait of Hormuz within days of Iran deal
In his first TV interview since May 2025, President Macron said a Franco-British force including the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle could deploy within two to three days once the US-Iran peace agreement is confirmed, as he arrived at the G7 summit in Evian.
A peace agreement overnight
On Sunday 14 June the United States, Iran and a Pakistani mediator finalized a peace protocol. The deal, announced just hours before the G7 summit opened in Evian-les-Bains, creates a path to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked for weeks, and to address Iran's enriched-uranium stockpile.
Our priority is that there be a solid and serious agreement finalized between Washington and Tehran.
Nuclear verification demands
Speaking to TF1 from the summit, Macron insisted that France and its European allies will ensure that all enriched-uranium capabilities present in Iran are neutralized. The options, he explained, are either to remove the material or to dilute it. Afterwards, the IAEA must maintain a permanent inspection regime.
We must make sure the Iranians cannot reorganise themselves in the coming months and years to produce enriched uranium again and build weapons with it.
The Franco-British mission
Macron intends to use the diplomatic breakthrough to launch the long-prepared Franco-British mission that will escort the reopening of the strategic waterway. He told TF1 that France can send planes, a frigate and minesweepers, and that the Charles de Gaulle carrier group, already in the region, is ready to move.
The Charles de Gaulle, with everything around it and which remains in the zone, can be deployed in the two or three days following the confirmation of the agreement.
G7 discussions tonight and Tuesday
The G7 leaders (the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan) will begin addressing the consequences of the accord on Monday evening. On Tuesday the talks will expand to include the leaders of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The immediate priorities, Macron said, are support for Lebanon, the long-term reopening of Hormuz, and concluding a broader nuclear and ballistic agreement with Iran.
- US, Iran and Pakistan finalize a peace protocol.
- Macron gives TF1 interview from Evian, announces readiness of Franco-British mission.
- G7 summit opens; leaders begin discussing Hormuz reopening and nuclear deal.
- Egypt, UAE and Qatar join expanded G7 talks.
