French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that France had “never considered” deploying naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, insisting Paris had only discussed a coordinated maritime security mission with Iran.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi, Macron attempted to clarify France’s position following sharp warnings from Tehran over any potential French or British military deployment in the strategic waterway.

Macron maintained that discussions had centered on maritime coordination rather than direct military deployment, as tensions continue to escalate in the Gulf region.

His remarks came after Iranian officials warned that any foreign naval presence accompanying what Tehran described as unlawful US actions would provoke an immediate response.

Iran warns against foreign military presence

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi warned that the presence of French, British, or other foreign naval forces in support of US operations in the Strait of Hormuz would face a “decisive and immediate response” from the Iranian armed forces.

Gharibabadi stressed that the deployment of Western naval assets under the pretext of “protecting navigation” amounted to further militarization of a vital international waterway and risked deepening the regional crisis.

Iranian officials have repeatedly accused Western powers of using maritime security narratives to justify military expansion near Iranian territorial waters.

Tehran maintains that foreign military deployments in the Gulf threaten regional stability rather than safeguard maritime navigation.

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Iranian forces raise readiness in Hormuz

Amid the growing confrontation, Iranian Army Navy Commander Admiral Shahram Irani said Sunday that Iranian submarines were fully prepared and positioned operationally.

“Our submarines are ready for action and deployed on the seabed,” Irani stated, signaling heightened military readiness as tensions continue between Iran and the United States in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic corridor has witnessed intermittent confrontations and maritime incidents in recent weeks as Washington increased its naval activity near Iranian waters.

Iran reasserts control over Hormuz security

Iran has repeatedly emphasized that security in the Strait of Hormuz falls under the responsibility of regional states and Iranian armed forces.

Tehran has also insisted on coordinating vessel passage through the waterway, framing the move as part of new maritime regulations introduced in response to US measures aimed at extracting stranded ships from the Gulf without respecting Iranian procedures.

Iranian officials argue that Washington’s actions violate regional maritime frameworks and contribute to escalating instability in one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.