Despite US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire declaration, French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned that the situation surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict remains “unstable”, reinforcing the view that diplomacy should preside over military might in resolving the Middle East crisis.
“The situation clearly remains volatile and unstable. I think it’s a very good thing that President Trump is calling for a ceasefire,” Macron told reporters on Tuesday during a visit to Norway.
Trump said earlier that Israel and Iran had agreed to a truce which would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations first. He said Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.
Noting reports of missiles having been fired after the ceasefire announcement, the French president said that “the last few minutes have shown that the situation remains very fragile”.
Israel launched strikes against Iran on 13 June, hitting nuclear and military sites as well as residential areas, and prompting waves of Iranian missile attacks on Israel.
While Iran and Israel have been in a shadow war against each other for decades, this has been by far the most destructive confrontation between the arch-foes.
Macron also said that “one of the main risks for the region and the international community” was that Iran would attempt to enrich uranium covertly.
Store echoed the sentiment.
(with AFP)
Read also:
US says Iran-Israel ceasefire now in force
Israeli strike on Tehran jail was ‘irresponsible’: French prisoner’s sister
French citizens repatriated from Israel as conflict with Iran intensifies