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France has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for sending a “Coalition of the Willing” to break Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, creating a noticeable divide among Western allies.Paris clarified that its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the Charles de Gaulle, will remain stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean and will not take part in a U.S.-led naval surge in the Gulf.The French Foreign Ministry stated that France’s role in the region is defensive and protective, aimed at stabilizing tensions rather than escalating the 17-day conflict. President Emmanuel Macron warned that reopening the vital waterway through military force alone would be a risky step that could trigger a wider regional collapse.France has traditionally maintained diplomatic contact with Tehran and is advocating for a gradual reopening of the Strait once the most intense fighting subsides, rather than an immediate military intervention.This decision represents a setback for Washington, which has been trying to build a multinational naval coalition with allies such as Japan, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.U.S. officials have criticized what they describe as European hesitation, arguing that the global economy cannot wait for a diplomatic breakthrough while oil markets remain unstable. Despite the disagreement, Paris is reportedly working on a separate European initiative focused on escorting commercial tankers rather than engaging in direct combat operations.For now, the difference between Washington’s push for stronger military action and Paris’s preference for strategic restraint defines the current diplomatic deadlock, as the world watches whether other partners will follow France’s cautious approach or support the U.S.-led naval effort.