France on Sunday voiced its concern regarding the recent US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and called for restraint to prevent further escalation. President Emmanuel Macron is set to convene a meeting of the defence and national security council in response to the developments.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot acknowledged the US strikes on three Iranian nuclear programme sites via a post on X, stressing that France was not involved in planning the attacks. He urged all parties to act with caution to avoid widening the conflict.
Macron has committed to intensifying diplomatic efforts with European partners to seek a peaceful resolution between Israel and Iran.
The French presidency confirmed the president’s plans to engage with European leaders and regional figures, including recent conversations with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Oman’s leader.
On Friday, diplomats from Britain, France, Germany, and the EU met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva, pressing Iran to resume talks with the United States over its nuclear ambitions. This diplomatic push came a week after Israel began bombing Iranian nuclear sites.
Barrot reiterated France’s strong opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and emphasised the importance of a negotiated resolution under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty framework.
