France distances itself from US strikes on Iran, Macron to hold emergency meeting

French President Emmanuel Macron will hold an emergency security cabinet meeting today to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran following the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities early this morning, the French presidency announces.

Macron, who has discussed the conflict with several Arab leaders, including those of Saudi Arabia and Oman, will speak further with European and regional leaders during the day, the French presidency says.

France distances itself from the US strikes and urges “all parties to exercise restraint,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot writes in a post on X.

“France has taken note with concern of the strikes carried out last night by the United States of America,” says Barrot, adding that Paris “did not take part in these strikes, nor in their planning.”

The minister “urges all parties to exercise restraint in order to avoid any escalation that could lead to a widening of the conflict,” and says that “the lasting resolution of this issue must come through a negotiated solution within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” an effort France “remains ready to contribute to.”

“France has repeatedly expressed its strong opposition to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons,” the top French diplomat adds.