STORY: French President Emmanuel Macron urged on Monday (04 May) Iran and the U.S. to make a joint effort in re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was the only solution to permanently unblock ships.

Macron, speaking in Yerevan at the European Political Community summit, reiterated his position that France would not take part in any operation using force, in a framework which he said was "unclear".

U.S. President Donald Trump said he said would start on Monday to aid ships and their crews that have been "locked up" in the vital waterway and are running low on food and other supplies.

Iran warned the U.S. Navy against entering the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement from the unified command of Iran's armed forces reported by state media, after the U.S. announced its plans.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: YEREVAN, ARMENIA (MAY 4, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access All)

1. MACRON ARRIVING FOR EUROPEAN POLITICAL COMMUNITY (EPC) MEETING

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (MAY 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

2. MACRON SAYING HELLO AS HE WALKS PAST JOURNALISTS

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (MAY 4, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access All)

3. MACRON WALKING TOWARDS JOURNALISTS

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (MAY 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON SAYING:

"Today, I'm looking at the situation, if the United States wants to reopen, or are ready to re-open (the Strait of) Hormuz, that's very good. That's what we've been asking for since the beginning. But we're not going to participate in any operations using force, within a framework which for my part, doesn't seem clear. So, we've built an ad hoc mission that we're working on, the military planning took place in London. But what we want most of all is a joint reopening between Iran and the United States. That's the only solution that will allow us to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allow free navigation, and do so without restrictions nor tolls."

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (MAY 4, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access All)

5. MACRON SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (MAY 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON SAYING:

"We Europeans are building our own security solutions. That's what we decided to do since 2022 by creating the European Political Community (EPC). That's what we did by building a Coalition of the Willing to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. That's what we did with the ad hoc operation and the mission to liberate (the Strait of) Hormuz. So this isn't a reaction to anyone. But Europeans are taking their destiny into their own hands, increasing their defence and security spending, and building their own concerted solutions."

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (MAY 4, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access All)

7. MACRON SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (MAY 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON SAYING:

"And then I want to reiterate here that it's essential that the ceasefire be respected in Lebanon. There were dozens more deaths last night. It is crucial that the ceasefire be respected. Really, this is the commitment the parties made, and I say this for the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon and the protection of the civilian population. Thank you ladies and gentlemen, I will have the opportunity to talk to you about this again later." / WALKS AWAY