Ottawa (TDI): French President Emmanuel Macron, on Tuesday, cautioned that pursuing regime change in Iran through military means would be a “strategic mistake,” during a press briefing on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
Macron said that outside bombing campaigns meant to force internal change “have always been wrong.” He stressed the urgent need to end strikes against civilian targets in both Iran and Israel, stating, “It is absolutely essential that all strikes carried out on both sides … especially against civilians, must stop. Nothing justifies them and they are absolutely intolerable.”
The official G7 communiqué issued the same day described Iran as “the main source of instability and terrorism in the region,” reflecting concerns raised by other leaders about Tehran’s nuclear and missile ambitions.
Macron reiterated his position that military intervention aimed at regime change would likely cause chaos. “The greatest mistake today would be to seek regime change in Iran by military means — because that would bring chaos,” he said, adding that resuming diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear program is the responsible course.
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He called for “de-escalation” and a “return to stability,” urging all parties, including the United States, to bring Iran back to the negotiating table. He noted that although President Trump applied pressure, he refrained from military action and sought peace during his first term.
Responding to Trump’s criticism of Macron’s claim that Trump departed the summit early to work on an Israel–Iran ceasefire, Macron dismissed it as “a twist.” He said Trump’s continued ambiguity wouldn’t deter him and stressed their long-standing working relationship.
Macron outlined clear priorities: “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, the resumption of humanitarian aid and the restart of a political process — which is the only way forward for Gaza — and a ceasefire as quickly as possible regarding Iran, a resumption of talks.”
His remarks come in the wake of fresh military strikes. This morning, Iran has retaliated with missiles on Israel’s Soroka Medical Center and Stock Market, as a response to Israeli strikes on a hospital and government-owned media house in Tehran.
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