Macron to convene G7 over energy crisis, says France working to reopen Hormuz

Macron to convene G7 over energy crisis, says France working to reopen Hormuz

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that he would convene a G7 meeting in the coming weeks to coordinate responses to the energy crisis caused by the Iran war, while reiterating France was working to facilitate the peaceful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron said the meeting would focus on coordinating strategic stockpile levels, cooperation on exports and production capacity, and possible releases of strategic reserves.

Macron said that the aim of the meeting was to strengthen cooperation and avoid unnecessary tensions between G7 countries and their key partners.

He said France had initiated an international defence mission with the International Maritime Organization last April aimed at escorting tankers and container ships through the strategic waterway once an agreement was reached.

Macron said reopening Hormuz depended on a deal between Iran and the United States, which he said appeared unlikely in the short term.

The comments came as France faces growing pressure over sharply higher fuel prices, with Macron acknowledging that pump prices had reached historic levels and were putting pressure on households' purchasing power.