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Macron Says France ‘Never Envisaged’ Sending Warships into Strait of Hormuz

This US Navy handout photo released on May 8, 2026 by US Central Command Public Affairs, shows the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) implementing a maritime blockade against the Iran-flagged crude oil tanker vessel Herby while the latter was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, on April 24, 2026. (US Navy / AFP)
This US Navy handout photo released on May 8, 2026 by US Central Command Public Affairs, shows the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) implementing a maritime blockade against the Iran-flagged crude oil tanker vessel Herby while the latter was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, on April 24, 2026. (US Navy / AFP)
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Macron Says France ‘Never Envisaged’ Sending Warships into Strait of Hormuz

This US Navy handout photo released on May 8, 2026 by US Central Command Public Affairs, shows the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) implementing a maritime blockade against the Iran-flagged crude oil tanker vessel Herby while the latter was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, on April 24, 2026. (US Navy / AFP)
This US Navy handout photo released on May 8, 2026 by US Central Command Public Affairs, shows the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) implementing a maritime blockade against the Iran-flagged crude oil tanker vessel Herby while the latter was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, on April 24, 2026. (US Navy / AFP)

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said that France had "never envisaged" a naval deployment in the Strait of Hormuz but rather a security mission that would be "coordinated with Iran".

At a news conference in Nairobi, Macron said he was sticking to his position opposing a blockade from either side, and to "reject any toll" to ensure ships are able to pass through the strategic waterway.

Iran on Sunday warned of a "decisive and immediate response" to any French or British deployments in the strait, after both announced they would send military vessels to the region.

"There was never any question of a deployment but we are ready," said Macron.

"We have put together an ad hoc mission, co-led with the British, which has brought together 50 countries and international organisations to enable, in a coordinated way with Iran and by deconflicting the situation with all the countries of the region and the United States, the resumption of maritime traffic as soon as conditions allow," he added.

Macron, in Africa for a summit in Nairobi, said the whole continent was "victim of the blockade" of the strait, through which normally passes most of the oil exported from the Middle East.

France last week announced that its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, had passed through the Suez Canal in preparation for such a mission.

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World

Ukraine Military Aid Surged in June Despite Long-Term Shortages, Says Institute

This photograph shows smoke rising in the distance following a Russian air attack, in Kyiv on August 12, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
This photograph shows smoke rising in the distance following a Russian air attack, in Kyiv on August 12, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
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Ukraine Military Aid Surged in June Despite Long-Term Shortages, Says Institute

This photograph shows smoke rising in the distance following a Russian air attack, in Kyiv on August 12, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)
This photograph shows smoke rising in the distance following a Russian air attack, in Kyiv on August 12, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)

Boosted by new EU financing, military aid for Ukraine in June hit its highest level since the United States pulled funding, though long-term support is lagging, Kiel Institute data showed Thursday.

Kyiv was allocated 7.2 billion euros ($8.3 billion) in military aid in June, the highest amount since the 9.04 billion euros received in April 2024. US funding dried up in February 2025.

It is the third-biggest monthly military funding boost from donors since Russia's invasion in February 2022, according to the think tank's Ukraine Support Tracker.

The surge was largely driven by the European Union's new Ukraine Support Loan, which helped European institutions allocate 4.3 billion euros of military aid in May and June.

The 90-billion-euro EU loan was introduced to support Ukraine's budgetary and defense needs in 2026 and 2027.

"The rapid launch of the Ukraine Support Loan sends a positive signal to Ukraine," said Taro Nishikawa, project lead of Kiel's Ukraine Support Tracker.

On top of the loan support, Germany allocated 700 million euros, Denmark 600 million euros, and the Netherlands 500 million euros to support Ukraine's military.

But long-term funding levels remain below those seen before US President Donald Trump pulled the plug.

Before February 2025, donors allocated an average of 3.46 billion euros per month in military aid to Kyiv.

Since then, that figure has fallen to 2.94 billion euros.

Although the United States no longer directly contributes to the Ukraine war effort, its weapons still play a key role.

Europe is increasingly procuring weapons from US defense companies and receiving deliveries from existing US military stockpiles.

"The United States remains a key supplier of systems such as Patriot, for which Europe has only limited alternatives at the moment," said Federico Mellace, lead analyst of the Ukraine Support Tracker.

"In the longer term, the key question will be whether Europe can develop and produce reliable substitutes to key US defense systems to gradually reduce this dependence," he added.

World

Taiwan Holds Naval Drill During War Games as China Steps up Maritime Pressure

Taiwanese Military Police personnel install road blockades during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Taiwanese Military Police personnel install road blockades during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 12, 2026. (Reuters)
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Taiwan Holds Naval Drill During War Games as China Steps up Maritime Pressure

Taiwanese Military Police personnel install road blockades during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Taiwanese Military Police personnel install road blockades during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 12, 2026. (Reuters)

Taiwan's armed forces carried out an anti-blockade drill during annual war games, using the navy and coast guard to simulate escorting a merchant ship, the defense ministry said on Thursday, as China steps up its maritime pressure.

Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has long been concerned that Beijing could try to choke off the island with a blockade or quarantine to force it into surrender.

In June, China began holding what it ‌calls "law enforcement" patrols off ‌Taiwan's east coast, to the anger of Taipei and prompting ‌concern ⁠in Washington and ⁠some other Western capitals.

The navy worked with coast guard vessels to complete the escort and security protection duties, while a minesweeper cleared a safe navigation channel and guided the simulated merchant vessel to port, Taiwan's defense ministry said in a statement.

Taiwan's coast guard, which would have an auxiliary role helping the navy in time of war, said the drill took place on Wednesday and the ports the ship was taken to were ⁠both on the east coast.

It said it was the first time ‌they had worked with the navy to hold ‌an anti-blockade drill.

The 10-day Han Kuang exercise kicked off last week, rehearsing various scenarios should ‌China ever make good on threats to try to seize the island by ‌force. Taiwan's democratically elected government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Thursday visited an underground car park at a hospital in Taipei's neighboring city of New Taipei that had been turned into an emergency ward, and a supermarket to see how provisions would be distributed in ‌an emergency.

Lai was accompanied by senior foreign diplomats based in Taiwan, including the de facto US, Israeli and Canadian ambassadors. Taiwan has ⁠been keen to ⁠learn from Israel about its civil defense operations.

"We are not facing regional geopolitical changes alone, but together with the shared concern and joint efforts of the international community," Lai said at the supermarket, of the presence of the diplomats.

During a separate part of the exercise on Wednesday night, soldiers erected metal barricades, barbed-wire obstacles and concrete barriers on roads leading to a key Taipei bridge that could expect to be assaulted in any Chinese attack on the capital.

"I believe the military's plans would also include demolishing these bridges, if necessary, ensuring that the People's Liberation Army would not be able to use them to cross the river quickly and continue its advance," said Chieh Chung, a researcher from Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research who was watching the bridge drill.

World

Jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Joins New Opposition Party Amid Political Turmoil

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. (Reuters)
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. (Reuters)
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Jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Joins New Opposition Party Amid Political Turmoil

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. (Reuters)
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), addresses his supporters from the top of a bus after giving testimony to judicial authorities at the Justice Palace, known as Caglayan Courthouse, in Istanbul, Türkiye, January 31, 2025. (Reuters)

Jailed Istanbul Mayor ‌Ekrem Imamoglu said on Wednesday he was joining the newly formed New Party, after a court order removed the leadership of his former Republican People's Party (CHP) amid an unprecedented legal crackdown on the opposition.

Last month, Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel and 90 other breakaway lawmakers launched a new political party, seeking to regroup to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a court ousted Ozel as CHP chairman and reinstated the party's divisive former leader Kemal ‌Kilicdaroglu.

"I am ‌resigning from my 17-year membership of ‌the ⁠Republican People's Party. This ⁠decision is a result of the values I believe regarding the future of our country and the responsibility I carry towards our people," Imamoglu said in a statement on X.

"Today, we are opening a NEW path to build a stronger, more democratic and more hopeful ⁠future for Türkiye," he said, referring to ‌the New Party.

Imamoglu, Erdogan's ‌main political rival, has been jailed for more than a year ‌pending trial on corruption charges that he denies.

He ‌was elected as the CHP's presidential candidate in an internal party vote days after his detention in March 2025. His university diploma, which is a requirement for being a presidential candidate, ‌was annulled by Istanbul University a day before he was detained.

The New Party - ⁠already the ⁠second-largest party in parliament - is expected to attract most CHP voters and pose a new-look challenge for Erdogan. However, the broader splintering of the opposition could boost the president's prospects of extending his 23-year reign in the NATO-member country and regional military power.

The next elections are scheduled for 2028 but could be held earlier.

The opposition and some rights groups have called the crackdown, including the jailing of hundreds of elected CHP officials and members since 2024, politically motivated and undemocratic. The government denies this and says the judiciary is independent.