NATO States Condemn US-Israel Attack on Iran as Illegal and Unclear
France has launched a sharp rebuke of the military operations conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran, asserting that it cannot endorse the strikes as they violate international law.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that the combined air strikes targeting the Islamic Republic were carried out without a strong legal basis. Beyond the question of legality, Paris has highlighted the lack of transparent strategic objectives in the large-scale military operation.
“France cannot approve the attack by American and Israeli forces in Iran because these attacks were conducted outside international law and without clearly defined objectives,” Barrot said in an interview with French television channel France 2.
Barrot elaborated further that from the French government’s perspective, the series of attacks lacks measured strategic targets. He contended that this unilateral action does not meet globally recognised legal standards for resolving international conflicts.
On the same occasion, Barrot reaffirmed his country’s position of maintaining distance from the armed conflict in the Middle East. He assured that French military forces would not be drawn into the operation led by Washington and Tel Aviv.
“We do not approve of this war, and we do not participate in it,” Barrot stated firmly.
Despite condemning the actions of its allies, France has nonetheless urged immediate de-escalation in the region to prevent wider conflict. Barrot specifically called on Tehran to abandon its regional policies, which many have considered provocative.
“We hope Iran will free itself from its status as a destabilising and dangerous force,” he added.
According to Barrot, lasting peace in the Middle East can only be achieved if Iran is willing to make fundamental changes in its diplomatic stance. This includes a willingness to make significant compromises at the negotiation table.
“Tehran must commit to radical changes in attitude and major concessions to pave the way for a durable solution in this region,” Barrot continued.
Meanwhile, France has begun rallying international support to protect vital trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Barrot claimed that several countries have expressed interest in joining an international defence mission to secure the oil shipping lane.
“Potential participants include a number of European countries, as well as nations in the region,” the minister explained, referring to an initiative previously launched by President Emmanuel Macron.
The escalation in the Middle East reached a critical point after Israel and the US launched massive air strikes titled “Operation Epic Fury” on 28 February. The strikes reportedly killed over 1,200 people and wounded at least 10,000 on the Iranian side.
In response, Iran immediately launched waves of drone and missile attacks. Tehran’s retaliatory strikes targeted multiple locations in Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations that host American military assets.