Paris, France – March 1, 2026 – French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Saturday that France “was neither informed nor involved” in the joint US-Israeli military strikes launched against Iran earlier in the day, emphasizing Paris's non-participation while urging all parties to prioritize diplomacy to address Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile development, and regional destabilizing activities.
Macron made the declaration during a high-level National Defense and Security Council meeting convened at the Élysée Palace shortly after news of the attacks broke. The emergency session brought together key ministers—including Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Armed Forces chiefs—along with intelligence heads to assess the rapidly evolving situation and coordinate France's response.
“Our absolute priority is obviously the safety of our citizens,” Macron said in a televised address following the closed-door meeting. “France was neither informed nor involved in the organization or execution of these operations.” He added that Paris stands “alongside all the countries that are currently affected by the Iranian response,” signaling solidarity with regional partners facing retaliatory missile fire while maintaining strategic distance from the offensive action.
Macron stressed that military strikes alone cannot resolve the underlying issues. “We must increase our efforts to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels, because no one can believe that the issue of Iranian nuclear power, ballistic missile activity, and regional destabilization will be resolved simply through strikes,” he declared. The statement reflects France's longstanding position favoring negotiation over confrontation, consistent with its role in the original 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and subsequent European efforts to preserve diplomatic pathways.
The French leader's remarks came as the US and Israel conducted coordinated strikes on multiple Iranian targets, including military infrastructure, missile production facilities, and reportedly senior leadership figures. Israel described its operation—codenamed “Lion’s Roar” (also referred to as “Roaring Lion”)—as pre-emptive to eliminate existential threats from Iran's missile arsenal, nuclear-related activities, and support for proxy groups. US President Donald Trump later confirmed American involvement in “major combat operations” under “Operation Epic Fury,” stating the campaign aimed to protect the United States by “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” Trump urged Iranian forces to surrender and called on civilians to overthrow the leadership, while acknowledging the possibility of US casualties.
Reports indicate explosions across Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, and Hormozgan provinces, with Iranian air defenses engaging retaliatory missile and drone barrages targeting Israeli territory and US military bases in the Gulf region, including facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. In Bahrain, a missile struck a service center linked to the US Fifth Fleet in Juffair. Qatar reported intercepting an Iranian missile using the Patriot system. Civilian casualties have been reported on the Iranian side, including five students killed when a girls’ primary school in Minab was reportedly hit.
Iran condemned the attacks as military aggression and a violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, asserting its right to self-defense under Article 51. Tehran’s Foreign Ministry stated that diplomacy had been prioritized—referencing indirect nuclear talks mediated by Oman, with the latest round concluding in Geneva on Thursday—but vowed a “decisive and powerful” response. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi had described progress as “within our reach” after meeting US Vice President JD Vance on Friday.
This escalation follows the June 2025 12-day Israel-Iran war, during which Israel initiated strikes and the United States later joined, bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan). Those actions were reported to have set back—but not eliminated—Iran’s nuclear capabilities, according to International Atomic Energy Agency assessments.
France's position aligns with broader European calls for restraint. Earlier Saturday, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement urging “maximum restraint,” protection of civilians, and full respect for international law. Switzerland echoed similar appeals, emphasizing adherence to the UN Charter and International Humanitarian Law. Russia’s Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev accused the US of using talks as a “cover” for military action, while China and Russia condemned the strikes as sovereignty violations at the UN Security Council emergency session.
Several Asian nations expressed concern over regional stability. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sharply criticized Israel and the US, calling the strikes a “vile attempt to sabotage ongoing negotiations.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced support for US efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Nepal issued travel advisories, with some urging citizens to leave Iran and Israel immediately.
Gulf states—including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia—closed or restricted airspace, placed forces on high alert, and voiced fears over energy disruptions. Oil prices surged sharply amid concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The Russian Embassy in Tehran advised citizens to leave Iran if possible.
Macron reiterated France's commitment to protecting its nationals in the region, noting that consular teams are on standby and that the Foreign Ministry has activated crisis protocols. France maintains a significant diplomatic presence in Tehran and has historically played a mediating role in Middle East diplomacy.
As missile exchanges continue and regional airspace remains volatile, France's insistence on diplomacy underscores Europe's broader preference for negotiated solutions over military escalation. The coming days will test whether diplomatic channels—despite severe strain—can still prevent a full-scale regional war.
