Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 1, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 1, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleFrance reaffirmed on April 1, 2026, that NATO’s mandate is limited to Euro‑Atlantic defense and does not extend to offensive missions in the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting U.S. pressure and emphasizing international law and de‑escalation.
By John Irish
PARIS, April 1 (Reuters) - France hit back on Wednesday at threats by President Donald Trump to pull the U.S. out of NATO, saying the military alliance was designed to ensure security in the Euro-Atlantic area and not to launch offensive operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump told Reuters he would state in an address to the nation later on Wednesday that he was "absolutely" considering withdrawing the United States from NATO, echoing comments he made in an interview with Britain's Daily Telegraph after allies failed to back U.S. military action against Iran.
French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested having a U.N. framework for any action in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies that Iran has effectively shut, and said international efforts could happen only when hostilities calm, insurance and shipping firms are consulted and Iran consents.
"Let me remind you what NATO is. It is a military alliance concerned with the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. It is not designed to carry out operations in the Strait of Hormuz, which would be a breach of international law," Junior Army Minister Alice Rufo told the War & Peace conference in Paris.
Rufo, who is a close ally of Macron and was one of his top diplomats, said she understood the Americans were annoyed about France's refusal to join a coalition to immediately unblock the strait.
But Paris favoured working on a plan to restore transit and freedom of navigation by means "not of an offensive nature," she said.
"I understand this irritation, but I am not speaking on behalf of the United States," Rufo said.
"I am speaking for a country that is a founding member of the Atlantic Alliance (NATO) and a founding member of the European Union, and which for the past 20 years has been saying that Europeans must take a greater share of responsibility for collective defence in Europe."
France drew Trump's ire on Tuesday after it refused Israel the use of its airspace to transfer American weapons for the war in Iran, three sources told Reuters.
(Reporting by John Irish; Writing by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Timothy Heritage)
France stated NATO is focused on Euro-Atlantic security and not designed for offensive missions outside that region, such as operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump threatened to pull the US out of NATO after allies refused to support US military action against Iran.
France favors a UN-backed plan involving non-offensive means and consultation with insurance and shipping firms, with Iran's consent.
French officials acknowledged US irritation but emphasized Europe must assume greater responsibility for its collective defense.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global oil supplies, affecting world markets and insurance costs.
Explore more articles in the Finance category
