EditMacron’s Middle East diplomacy: balancing restraint and support amid Israel’s strike on Iran
The French President warned that the Israel-Iran conflict is likely to be a “prolonged and complex struggle”
On 13 June French President Emmanuel Macron spoke extensively in a TV appearance addressing Israel’s audacious strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and missile factories, a military operation dubbed Operation Rising Lion that has plunged the Middle East into heightened tensions.
Speaking after a day of intense diplomatic engagements with leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Macron articulated a nuanced French position: condemning Iran’s destabilising nuclear ambitions while urging de-escalation to prevent a wider regional conflict.
The French President warned that the Israel-Iran conflict targeting Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, is likely to be a “prolonged and complex struggle,” signalling a grim outlook for swift de-escalation in the Middle East.
He reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence, particularly after the strikes targeted Iran’s Natanz enrichment facility and killed key figures, including Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami and nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.
Yet, Macron was unequivocal in ruling out French participation in offensive operations against Iran, stating, “France didn’t accompany or plan the attack on Iran with Israel; we favour another route.” Instead, he positioned France’s military forces in the Middle East – deployed in countries like Jordan and the UAE – on high alert to protect regional partners, including Israel, in case of Iranian retaliation.
His remarks, coupled with Trump’s revelation that the U.S. was fully aware of Israel’s plans, underscore the complex interplay of Western diplomacy and Middle Eastern volatility, with implications for global stability and oil markets.
Macron’s stance reflects France’s long-standing concern over Iran’s nuclear program, which he described as having reached a “critical point” in acquiring a nuclear weapon. In a statement posted on X, Macron emphasized that Iran’s uranium enrichment, reportedly 40 times above permitted limits, poses an “existential threat” to regional and global security.
Macron has consistently pushed for diplomatic solutions, urging the resumption of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for 15 June in Oman but now suspended following Israel’s strikes. His call for de-escalation aligns with France’s role as a mediator, seen in its efforts to broker a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, a conference for which was postponed amid the current crisis. Macron’s determination to recognise a Palestinian state, expressed alongside his support for Israel, underscores France’s attempt to balance competing interests in a region where it maintains economic ties, notably in energy and defence.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements have added complexity to the Western response. In interviews with Reuters, the Wall Street Journal, and Fox News, Trump claimed he “knew everything” about Israel’s plans, contradicting initial U.S. assertions of non-involvement.
Trump revealed he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay the strikes to allow nuclear talks to proceed, but he also described the attack as “excellent” and suggested it might pressure Iran to negotiate.
This contradictory messaging – publicly opposing the strikes while privately endorsing them – has drawn criticism. Analysts like Sina Azodi, a Middle East politics professor, argue that Netanyahu’s actions “torpedoed” Trump’s diplomatic efforts, especially after the killing of Iran’s negotiators. The U.S. assisted Israel in intercepting Iranian retaliatory missiles on June 13, highlighting its defensive commitment despite Trump’s reluctance to be drawn into a broader war.
The strikes, which killed at least 78 and wounded 320 in Iran, have sparked global alarm. Oil prices surged, reflecting fears of disruptions in a region producing 30% of global supply. Russia condemned the strikes as “unprovoked,” while Germany and the UK joined France in supporting Israel’s defensive rights but urged restraint. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as an “act of aggression” that risks “escalating regional tensions,” urging all parties to pursue dialogue and resume nuclear talks, per a statement reported by Xinhua.
Commentators say that Macron’s diplomacy, rooted in restraint and dialogue, contrasts with Trump’s hawkish optimism, yet both face the challenge of containing a conflict that risks engulfing the region. As Iran vows retaliation and Israel braces for more strikes, France’s call for renewed nuclear talks may be the last hope for averting a catastrophic escalation.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry criticised Israel’s actions for derailing nuclear talks in Oman, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasizing diplomacy as the “only way forward” to resolve U.S.-Iran tensions. However, pundits says that Israel’s attack plays in the hands of Ankara, who sees Iran as a competitor in both countries’ ambition to project themselves as regional powers.
Iran launches wave of missiles
Meanwhile, Iran and Israel targeted each other with missiles and airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched its biggest-ever air offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.
Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel’s two largest cities, sending residents rushing into shelters as successive waves of Iranian missiles streaked across the skies. The military said its air defence systems were operating.
In central Tel Aviv, a high-rise building was hit, damaging the lower third of the structure in a densely populated urban area. An apartment block in nearby Ramat Gan was destroyed.
Israel’s ambulance service said 34 people were injured on Friday night in the Tel Aviv area, most with minor injuries. Police later said one person had died.
In Iran, several explosions were heard in the capital Tehran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
The Fars news agency said two projectiles hit Tehran’s Mehrabad airport, and Iranian media said flames were reported there. Close to key Iranian leadership sites, the airport hosts an air force base with fighter jets and transport aircraft.
Sources: Reuters, The Guardian, The Times of Israel, France 24, Axios, LCI, Xinhua
Caption: French President Emmanuel Macron holds a press conference on the Middle East situation, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 13 June 2025. EPA/MICHEL EULER / POOL
Updated: June 14, 2025 - 05:02
