Trump undermining NATO by creating doubt about U.S. commitment, says Macron

In a newspaper interview on Wednesday, Trump said that he is considering pulling his country out of NATO, slamming the defence alliance as a “paper tiger”.

Trump has repeatedly railed against Western partners for not responding to his call to assemble a naval force to help reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz, which has effectively been closed by Tehran as the Iran war grinds on.

Macron said that a military operation to liberate the Strait of Hormuz is “unrealistic”.

Read Also: ECOWAS bank okays $266.7 million for strategic projects in Nigeria, others

“There are those who advocate for the liberation of the Strait of Hormuz by force through a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States,” Macron said.

“It is unrealistic because it would take an inordinate amount of time and would expose anyone crossing the strait to coastal threats from the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guards, who possess significant resources, as well as ballistic missiles, (and) a host of other risks,” he added.

“This can only be done in concert with Iran. So, first and foremost, there must be a ceasefire and a resumption of negotiations.”

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil, has been virtually paralysed for weeks by the Iran war.

Macron accused Trump of sowing confusion by constantly contradicting himself on the conflict.