In an interview with Hawzah News Agency in Tehran, Hassan Hanizadeh pointed to the recent shift in the French president's stance regarding the deployment of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region. "Emmanuel Macron's initial announcement to dispatch the carrier in a bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was met with a serious reaction and warning from Iran, voiced through both its diplomatic apparatus and Armed Forces," he stated.
The analyst noted that the United States had previously attempted similar moves by sending warships—including the USS Gerald R. Ford, USS Abraham Lincoln, and USS George H.W. Bush—to the region, all of which failed to achieve the desired outcome. "The presence of Western military vessels in the region is nothing new, but Iran, through its military and political might, has managed to establish effective deterrence," Hanizadeh emphasized.
French U-turn signals Western rift, opens door for new engagement
Pointing to France's recent about-face, the political commentator said the shift in position exposes a growing rift and multi-polarity among European nations and the United States. "It demonstrates that Iran possesses significant leverage for negotiation and shaping the regional discourse," he added.
Hanizadeh stated that France has, at the current juncture, distanced itself to some extent from Washington, a development that could mark the beginning of a new phase in relations between Iran and the European Union—especially between Tehran and Paris, which has historically, at certain intervals, held differing positions from American policies.
"Macron's retreat from deploying the warship could serve as a positive signal for de-escalation and pave the way for more constructive engagement between Iran and Western countries," he said.
Asked about the impact of this approach on Europe's foreign policy in the Persian Gulf, the expert underlined that Iran's authority in the military and security domain across the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is absolutely evident and has proven decisive in regional calculations.
European states seeking independent path after US-Israeli failures
Referring to the failure of American and Israeli regime policies to alter regional dynamics, Hanizadeh said recent developments, including a string of military and security setbacks in the region, have prompted some European countries to review their policies and pursue a more independent course from the United States.
"These conditions can lay the groundwork for reducing tensions and fostering confidence-building in the region, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz," he stressed.
On the sincerity of Macron's latest positions, the analyst cautioned, "It remains to be seen whether Macron will adhere to his words in the future. In any case, France, as a European power, must adopt a responsible approach toward regional developments, as any adventurism could ultimately inflict the greatest damage on the country itself."
Hanizadeh concluded by noting that experience has shown France, compared to certain other Western states, pursues a relatively more moderate policy toward the West Asia region and seeks to maintain its relations with Islamic nations and Iran within a framework based on mutual interests.
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