In a move that’s nothing short of courageous, European nations led by France, the UK, Germany, and Italy held a summit to decide how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump did all the heavy lifting.
More to the point, EuroNews reports that a group of more than 40 countries met in Paris to put the finishing touches on plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“The France and UK-led coalition insists the operation will only kick in when the war is over,” EuroNews wrote.
Do you think they know how stupid they look or do staffers have to tell them? https://t.co/S26oupDe77
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) April 17, 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron was clearly in a kissy mood when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Miloni showed up. He practically molested her in front of the world’s media.
We are truly speechless. pic.twitter.com/slyjlOVeiD
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) April 17, 2026
But what really makes this whole thing so European is that the coalition countries are acting like they had something to do with reopening the Strait. Trump has been leading the war, which has largely neutered Iran and taken out its leadership. He’s led the negotiations with Iran to reach this point, where, as part of a ceasefire agreement, Iran agreed to reopen the Strait.
Only now is Europe engaging in these bizarre theatrics, as if this logistical meeting is what really matters. Alright, I realize that once the Strait is open, warships are needed to protect merchant vessels, but really, what’s the danger when you’ve already let the biggest threat to those ships control you to this point? And now the only reason you’re going to get access is because Trump negotiated it for you.
The European coalition consists of NATO countries, along with South Korea, Australia, and Japan. EuroNews reports that the coalition met to arrive at a logistical plan to resume maritime transport through the Strait.
“The mission is set to include military ships, escorts, armed forces, intelligence, mine-clearing operations and radar capabilities. Some European countries have already sent vessels to the region,” Euronews reported, and then added, “European leaders have been on the back foot since the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on 28 February, resulting in Iran's closure of the vital shipping passage, causing havoc with the global economy, with Europe particularly impacted.”
Macron is proving that it’s very easy to project strength and leadership when Trump has already done it all for you.
Aux côtés de plus de cinquante pays, nous portons une initiative pour la liberté de navigation dans le détroit d’Ormuz. pic.twitter.com/WJGikHSfkt
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 17, 2026
In any event, “The leaders spearheading the mission are resolute that the mandate will be ‘strictly defensive,’ and they are not prepared to enter into an expensive, hot conflict,” EuroNews said. In other words, the European nations are much more comfortable performing the role of mall cop, while the U.S. is the actual enforcer.
All in all, this is much ado about nothing, which is usually the case when Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are in the same room together.
There is one thing worth noting. According to Bloomberg, “German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants the US to be involved while France insists only ‘non-belligerent countries’ would join.” To translate, Macron wants this to be a showcase for the beta countries, not the alpha.
Trump wasn’t waiting for Europe to involve him in the process. He preempted and punctuated all of it with a post on Truth Social.
Trump: Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again.
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 17, 2026
It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World! https://t.co/EyWjPrMTVk pic.twitter.com/n2srHbD0sk
