NATO Split! Two Nations Stand United in Condemning the US for Attacking Iran
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Two leaders of NATO member states, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, jointly voiced condemnation of the United States over its military strikes in the Middle East. The critical stance came from two NATO member leaders following the US military operation alongside Israel in the region around Iran.
Macron on Tuesday asserted that the decision by the United States and Israel to launch a military operation against Iran was carried out ‘outside international law’ and could not be endorsed by France. ‘The United States and Israel decided to carry out a military operation, which was conducted outside international law, which we cannot approve,’ Macron said, as quoted by AFP, on Wednesday (4 March 2026).
Nevertheless, Macron also blamed Tehran as the principal party responsible for the situation. He highlighted Iran’s nuclear programme deemed dangerous, its support for regional proxies, and repressive actions against its own citizens during the waves of protests in January.
A similar tone was expressed by Carney a day later. Speaking in Sydney, he called for ‘rapid de-escalation’ of the conflict triggered by the US-Israel strike on Iran and urged all parties to respect the rules of international engagement.
‘Canada calls for rapid de-escalation of hostilities and is prepared to help achieve this,’ Carney said, adding that ‘Canada reaffirms that international law binds all parties at war.’
Carney described the war in the Middle East as ‘another example of the failure of the international order’. While supporting the aims of the US-Israel strikes on the grounds that Iran has failed to dismantle its nuclear programme and stop supporting militant groups, Carney expressed regret at the failure of international efforts.
However, he also criticised the decision-making process in Washington and Tel Aviv. ‘The United States and Israel have acted without involving the UN or consulting allies, including Canada,’ he said.
The regional conflict escalated after the US and Israel launched a joint strike on Iran that killed the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran then retaliated with attacks on various strategic targets in the region, including military bases and vital infrastructure such as data centres and oil and gas facilities.
The conflict’s impact also unsettled global markets. Iran’s closure of the Hormuz Strait triggered a surge in oil prices and pressure in global financial markets, with US, European, and Asian equity markets broadly weakening as concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies grew.
Trump Threatens Spain and Condemns Britain
President Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after the country refused to allow US aircraft to use its bases to attack Iran. He also condemned Britain for not being more cooperative.
The left-wing government of Spain, led by PM Pedro Sánchez, said that bases long used by US forces could only be used for activities in line with the UN Charter. Sánchez is known as one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Trump.