Politics
FRANCE TAKS DIPLOMATIC LEAD IN DE-ESCALATING THE IRAN -ISRAEL CONFLICT
STATEMENT BY FRENCH MFA JN BARROT
USPA NEWS -
As tensions dangerously rise between Iran and Israel, threatening to engulf the entire Middle East in a wider regional blaze, France is stepping up as a key diplomatic actor. In a geopolitical climate marked by silence or disengagement from traditional powers like the United States, French President Emmanuel Macron, backed by his newly appointed Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, has taken the initiative to contain this escalating crisis before it spins out of control.
While former U.S. President Donald Trump, now leading in the Republican primaries, has downplayed the severity of the conflict, stating that "America will not intervene in a regional fight that’s not ours," Paris has clearly chosen a different path. Under Macron’s leadership, France seeks to preserve peace, uphold international law, and prevent the Iranian-Israeli conflict from destabilizing not just the region, but global security.
While former U.S. President Donald Trump, now leading in the Republican primaries, has downplayed the severity of the conflict, stating that "America will not intervene in a regional fight that’s not ours," Paris has clearly chosen a different path. Under Macron’s leadership, France seeks to preserve peace, uphold international law, and prevent the Iranian-Israeli conflict from destabilizing not just the region, but global security.
PRESIDENT MACRON LAUNCHES URGENT MEDIATION EFFORTS
Since Israel launched a series of strikes on Iranian-linked positions nearly ten days ago, President Emmanuel Macron has been intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. The current Iran-Israel clash, already characterized by reciprocal missile exchanges and an alarming rhetoric of reprisal, threatens to extend far beyond the already volatile Israel-Gaza landscape.
On Saturday, June 21st, Macron held a high-stakes phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a move interpreted by several diplomatic analysts as France positioning itself as a peace broker in a vacuum left by disengaged superpowers (SOURCE: Le Monde, and IRNA Agency).
Since Israel launched a series of strikes on Iranian-linked positions nearly ten days ago, President Emmanuel Macron has been intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. The current Iran-Israel clash, already characterized by reciprocal missile exchanges and an alarming rhetoric of reprisal, threatens to extend far beyond the already volatile Israel-Gaza landscape.
On Saturday, June 21st, Macron held a high-stakes phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a move interpreted by several diplomatic analysts as France positioning itself as a peace broker in a vacuum left by disengaged superpowers (SOURCE: Le Monde, and IRNA Agency).
During the call, Pezeshkian warned of an even “more devastating response” should Israeli aggression persist. Still, he reiterated Iran’s longstanding willingness to “offer guarantees and build trust” over its peaceful nuclear activities under international law frameworks.
“The rights granted to nations under international law cannot be taken away by threats or war,” declared the Iranian President. “We are ready to talk, to cooperate, but we will not accept being forced to reduce our nuclear activities to zero under any condition,” he added, echoing earlier statements reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
“The rights granted to nations under international law cannot be taken away by threats or war,” declared the Iranian President. “We are ready to talk, to cooperate, but we will not accept being forced to reduce our nuclear activities to zero under any condition,” he added, echoing earlier statements reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
WHO IS MASOUDPEZESHKIAN PRESIDENT OF ISLAMIC REPCULIC OF IRAN?
Often described as a moderate voice within Iranian politics, President Masoud Pezeshkian, a 70-year-old former emergency physician, came to power with a reputation for compassion and reform. Nicknamed “The Doctor” by Iranian citizens for his frontline medical service during the Iran-Iraq war, Pezeshkian has also faced personal tragedy, having raised his children alone following the death of his wife and son.
Initially seen as open to dialogue, especially regarding women's rights and the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, his tone has hardened in recent days in response to Israel's military actions.
Often described as a moderate voice within Iranian politics, President Masoud Pezeshkian, a 70-year-old former emergency physician, came to power with a reputation for compassion and reform. Nicknamed “The Doctor” by Iranian citizens for his frontline medical service during the Iran-Iraq war, Pezeshkian has also faced personal tragedy, having raised his children alone following the death of his wife and son.
Initially seen as open to dialogue, especially regarding women's rights and the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, his tone has hardened in recent days in response to Israel's military actions.
STATEMENT OF THE FRENCH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AMID IRSAEL-IRAN CONFLICT
It is in this precise context that France’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, issued an official statement, a direct response to recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which we publish here in full, exactly as it was released. France Steps Up Where the U.S. Steps Back. We publish below the statement as it was released in full by french Ministry fo Foreign Affairs
OFFICIAL’S STATEMENT FROM JEAN-NOEL BARROT, FRANCE’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS
It is in this precise context that France’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, issued an official statement, a direct response to recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which we publish here in full, exactly as it was released. France Steps Up Where the U.S. Steps Back. We publish below the statement as it was released in full by french Ministry fo Foreign Affairs
OFFICIAL’S STATEMENT FROM JEAN-NOEL BARROT, FRANCE’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS
“Iran - reaction to US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
June 22, 2025
France has taken note with concern of the strikes carried out last night by the United States of America against three sites in Iran's nuclear program. France was neither involved in these strikes nor in their planning.
We urge the parties to exercise restraint in order to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict. In this context, our priority is to ensure the safety of our agents and nationals, as well as that of our interests and partners in the region.
June 22, 2025
France has taken note with concern of the strikes carried out last night by the United States of America against three sites in Iran's nuclear program. France was neither involved in these strikes nor in their planning.
We urge the parties to exercise restraint in order to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict. In this context, our priority is to ensure the safety of our agents and nationals, as well as that of our interests and partners in the region.
France has repeatedly expressed its firm opposition to Iran gaining access to nuclear weapons.
France is convinced that a lasting solution to this issue requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Treaty of Non-Proliferation. We remain ready to contribute to this in conjunction with our partners.
France has taken due note of the statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which confirms at this stage that no high level of radiation has been detected.” Source: French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
France is convinced that a lasting solution to this issue requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Treaty of Non-Proliferation. We remain ready to contribute to this in conjunction with our partners.
France has taken due note of the statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which confirms at this stage that no high level of radiation has been detected.” Source: French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Liability for this article lies with the author, who also holds the copyright. Editorial content from USPA may be quoted on other websites as long as the quote comprises no more than 5% of the entire text, is marked as such and the source is named (via hyperlink).
