PARIS — A Franco-German rift is emerging over whether to try to involve the U.S. in tentative European plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a leaders’ summit in Paris on Friday.

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting talks with leaders of “non-belligerent countries” to plan a “strictly defensive” mission to secure the crucial waterway once the fighting stops, according to a statement from the president’s office. A French presidency official said the planning the French are leading “doesn’t include the U.S.”

But on Thursday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said while Germany is “fundamentally ready” to help secure shipping routes under strict conditions, he also wanted to “discuss the participation of U.S. Armed Forces” in the initiative, which was initially launched by France and the U.K.

“There are good arguments in favor of it,” Merz said at a press conference in Berlin with regard to a joint European and U.S. effort.

This puts Merz on a potential collision course with Macron, who has been sharper in criticizing the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. While France has said it would not partake in U.S. military operations, the country has deployed an aircraft carrier and other vessels to help defend regional allies in the Gulf.

“We won’t enter into a coalition with the U.S. and I don’t think Germany will either,” said the French presidency official, who was granted anonymity for protocol reasons.

While the Europeans attempt to agree on a plan for securing the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials are depicting the initiative as an empty exercise, claiming the U.S. can do the job on its own.

“The United States Navy has more than enough resources and assets to secure the strait itself and does not need help from any other country,” White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said Thursday.

Germany on Thursday signaled a willingness to deploy minesweepers to secure the strait, but only under strict conditions. German officials say they would participate in such a mission only if there is a stable ceasefire, an international mandate “preferably” from the U.N., and formal approval by the Bundestag. Merz underscored that Berlin remains “far away” from such a decision.

Merz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will attend the meeting hosted by Macron on Friday, while representatives of up to 30 other countries are set to partake remotely.

The Franco-German disagreement comes as a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remains in effect. During their meeting in Paris on Friday, European leaders may use the opportunity to call U.S. President Donald Trump and push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, according to the French presidency official.

“We want an end to the war as soon as possible,” the official said. “We want to consolidate the ceasefire and we are against more strikes.”

Phelim Kine contributed reporting from Washington.