'He Will Be Out Of Office Soon': Trump Mocks Macron As France Refuses To Join Hormuz Task Force

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 22:29 IST

Trump criticised Macron's stance on the Strait of Hormuz, stating France will help only post-conflict. Macron emphasised non-involvement.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday slammed President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks that France will only help out in escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz once the conflict ends and said he will be out of office soon.

“We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context," Macron said during a cabinet meeting.

“However, we are convinced that once the situation becomes calmer… we are ready, alongside other nations, to take responsibility for an escort system," he said.

Check Latest Updates On Iran-Israel War Status Today

Following this, Trump said: “I was watching over the last couple of weeks, and all of our NATO allies were very much in favor of what we did…but they don’t want to, despite the fact that we help them so much…they don’t want to help us…I think NATO’s making a very foolish mistake."

In reply to a question about Macron’s comments by a reporter in the Oval Office, he said: “Well, he’ll be out of office very soon. So, we’ll have to see. I don’t know."

France’s next presidential elections are slated to be held in April 2027.

Also Read: Tankers Have Started To ‘Dribble Through’ Hormuz: White House As Global Oil Markets Remain Volatile

The comments come following President Donald Trump’s demand for US’s allies to help secure the waterway that has been shut by Iran in response to the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they were working with allies to craft a “viable" plan to reopen the strait but ruled out a NATO mission, while German officials also said it had been “clear at all times that this war is not a matter for NATO," AFP reported.

Japan, Australia, Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden have also distanced themselves from military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.

Also Read: Was America Dragged Into Iran War By Israel? US NCTC Chief’s Exit Raises Alarming Questions

Meanwhile, White House Economic Adviser Kevin ⁠Hassett said in an interview to CNBC that oil tankers are “starting to ⁠dribble through" the Strait of Hormuz while reiterating that the war will continue for only weeks not months.

Later, US President Donald Trump said Washington does not need any assistance to protect the key oil route blocked by Iran.

“We don’t need anybody. We’re the strongest nation in the world. We have the strongest military by far in the world," Trump said, repeating his criticism that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members were not helping despite the idea of collective defence.

Trump on Monday said that the ongoing war with Iran could end “soon", though he indicated that hostilities are unlikely to conclude within the current week.

While speaking to reporters at the White House, the US President struck an optimistic tone about the war, which is now in its third week. When asked if the conflict could end this week, he initially responded, “Yeah, sure," before clarifying that an immediate resolution was unlikely.

Iran has been carrying out attacks on US bases and interests across the Middle East since the conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28. The war started after US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and caused major damage to key government and military infrastructure.

News world 'He Will Be Out Of Office Soon': Trump Mocks Macron As France Refuses To Join Hormuz Task Force

Read More