Macron: Iranian Regime Cannot Be Changed by US-Israeli Bombardment Alone
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that significant change in Iranian leadership cannot occur “solely through United States-Israeli bombardment.” According to Macron, war in the Middle East could continue for “several weeks.”
“I believe you cannot achieve major regime change or change in the political system simply through bombardment,” Macron said aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, currently in Mediterranean waters on Monday, 9 March local time.
The conflict triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran “in this intense phase could last several days, possibly several weeks,” Macron said, according to Al Arabiya, on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
Macron stated that France and its allies are preparing a “defensive” mission to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The French leader arrived by helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which was dispatched to the Mediterranean following United States and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February, triggering war in the Middle East.
Previously, Macron stated that the Hormuz mission aimed to escort container ships and tankers so the strait could gradually reopen “after the most intense phase of the conflict ends.”
“This is important for international trade, but also for the flow of gas and oil, which must be able to leave this region again,” Macron said during a visit to Cyprus to discuss regional security.
Speaking with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron stated that a “purely defensive mission, purely supportive” would be formed by European and non-European nations.
The European Union on Monday, 9 March, stated it was prepared to “increase” its operations to protect maritime traffic in the Middle East.
The European Union has discussed strengthening its naval mission in the Red Sea following US-Israeli attacks on Iran triggering wider regional conflict.
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the main waterway in the Gulf through which one-fifth of global crude oil passes, has come to near standstill since war broke out on 28 February.