Macron Says France Never Considered Naval Deployment to Strait of Hormuz

French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris has never considered deploying naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya, Macron stated that France backs a coordinated security approach that includes Iran. He added that France opposes any blockade in the waterway, whether from the United States or Iran, and rejects the imposition of tolls to safeguard freedom of navigation.

Macron was responding to Iranian warnings of a decisive and immediate response to any French or British military deployment in the strait. Both countries had announced plans to send vessels to the region. "There was never any question of a deployment, but we are ready," Macron said.

He added that France has helped build an ad hoc mission with the United Kingdom. The mission has brought together around 50 countries and international organisations. The effort aims to support maritime security in concert with Iran and by deconflicting with countries in the region and the United States to enable resumption of maritime traffic as soon as conditions allow.

Israel-Hezbollah exchanges continue in southern Lebanon In the last hour, Hezbollah announced four attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The group said it targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Jal al-Alam site, attacked Israeli army vehicles using drones in the town of Deir Sryan, carried out a suicide attack on soldiers on the outskirts of the same town, and fired a drone-launched bomb at advanced technical equipment in the town of al-Bayyada.

Israeli warplanes carried out multiple air raids on southern Lebanon, striking towns shortly after issuing evacuation warnings. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Deir Zahrani came under five separate strikes on Sunday evening, with one missile failing to detonate.

In Jarjouh, Israeli forces launched another air raid less than two hours after warning residents to leave the area. The Israeli military said its strikes across southern Lebanon throughout the day targeted more than 20 locations used by Hezbollah, including weapons storage facilities, headquarters and military buildings.

The strikes killed at least three people, two of whom were paramedics.

US weighs gas tax pause as Iran ceasefire talks continue The Trump administration is open to suspending the federal gas tax to lower prices at the pump. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told the NBC News programme Meet the Press that all measures that can be taken to lower the price at the pump and lower the prices for Americans have the administration’s support.

The average gas price in the United States is currently $4.52 per gallon according to the American Automobile Association, with a federal tax of about 18 cents per gallon. Wright repeatedly said he could not guarantee whether prices could dip below $3 per gallon later this year or rise above $5 amid the US-Israel war on Iran.

He described an incredibly bright outlook for energy production in countries such as Venezuela. As reports emerge that Iran has responded to a US ceasefire proposal via mediator Pakistan, Sultan Barakat, a professor at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar, cautioned against expecting a quick breakthrough.

Barakat told Al Jazeera that a full peace agreement is very far. He said both sides would like to see the ceasefire extended and used as an entry point to negotiations that resolve issues one at a time. The Arab Parliament denounced attacks in Qatari waters and Kuwaiti airspace.

Qatar said a cargo ship was targeted in its territorial waters, causing a minor fire without injuries. Kuwait’s defence ministry reported numerous hostile drones in its airspace at dawn. The Arab Parliament described the incidents as violations of sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security and stability.