Macron: Prestige on the cheap, courage not included

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday that France would "never take part" in operations to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, directly contradicting US President Donald Trump, who had given Macron an "8 out of 10" for his supposed willingness to help.

The contradiction was embarrassing. The retreat was predictable.

The Master of Empty Gestures

Macron's refusal comes as no surprise from a president who has made a career of bold declarations followed by strategic retreats. After the October 7, 2023 massacres in Israel, he called for a grand international anti-terrorist coalition - only to pivot months later into sharp criticism of Israel before recognizing a Palestinian state in a move described by most observers as pure political marketing with zero practical effect.

Now, with the Middle East ablaze, the Strait of Hormuz closed and oil prices surging, Macron has found his position: wait for the shooting to stop, then lead a coalition that doesn't include America, doesn't involve France militarily and requires prior negotiations with the very regime causing the crisis.

In other words: do nothing, and dress it up as principle.

A President with No Influence, No Courage and No Time Left

France has been effectively sidelined throughout the US-Israeli campaign against Iran,  a testament to its diminishing strategic relevance. Macron, with months left before leaving the Élysée, is not shaping events. He is commenting on them.

His "post-war coalition" plan,  consulting European, Asian and Gulf partners for a future escort mission that would require a ceasefire, Iranian negotiations and international consensus, is the diplomatic equivalent of planning an umbrella after the storm has passed.

Trump saw through it. He gave Macron an 8 out of 10 - then watched him publicly walk it back within 24 hours.

That, in a nutshell, is French diplomacy in 2026: graded generously, delivered never.