Macron: We Will Neutralize Iran's Uranium Enrichment Capacity

Macron's Sharp Stance at the Évian Summit

French President Emmanuel Macron, on Monday, June 15, 2026, ahead of the official start of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in the city of Évian-les-Bains, outlined his country's positions regarding Iran's nuclear program. Referring to the necessity of global security, Macron emphasized that Iran's remaining enriched uranium capacities must be completely "neutralized" [1]. These remarks come as nuclear tensions have reached a peak in recent months, with the international community concerned about Tehran's technical progress in high-level enrichment.

The French President stated that to achieve this goal, two main solutions are being considered: either the sensitive uranium stockpiles must be completely removed from Iranian soil, or a dilution process must be performed on them to eliminate their potential military use [2]. He emphasized that all these stages must be carried out under the direct and continuous supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the irreversibility of these capabilities.

New Agreement and Oversight Challenges

Macron's words were released only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reaching of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran to end recent conflicts [3]. However, Macron stated in a cautious tone that Paris would be "patient and cautious" in implementing this agreement. He emphasized that Europe's ultimate goal is to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, and this is only possible by physically neutralizing current capacities [4].

The leaders of the European Troika (France, Britain, and Germany) also welcomed the diplomatic progress in a joint statement but reminded that the lifting of sanctions would only occur in exchange for transparent, objective, and verifiable steps by Tehran [3]. Macron believes that traditional monitoring is no longer sufficient and that new mechanisms must be applied for the precise control of enriched uranium stockpiles.

Security of the Strait of Hormuz and European Military Mission

Another part of Macron's speech was dedicated to maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. Warning Tehran against any attempt to impose transit fees in this strategic waterway, he called it contrary to international law [1]. Macron announced that France and Britain are ready to deploy a joint and independent mission to guarantee freedom of navigation in the region.

He also revealed that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the symbol of French naval power, is on full alert and can be deployed to the region within two to three days [2]. These actions demonstrate Paris's serious determination to counter any threat against the flow of energy and global trade in the Persian Gulf, even while diplomatic paths to resolve the nuclear crisis are underway.