France has joined a number of European leaders in expressing concern and urging “restraint” following US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities early Sunday. President Emmanuel Macron is to hold a defence council meeting later today.
Together with European partners, France has advocated a diplomatic solution in a bid to end the conflict between Israel and Iran which began with Israel launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on 13 June.
“France has taken note with concern of the strikes carried out last night by the United States of America against three sites of Iran’s nuclear programme,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X on Sunday.
He said that France did not take part in planning the strikes.
Barrot added that France was urging “all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict”.
‘Return to negotiating table’
The French presidency said Emmanuel Macron would convene a meeting of the defence and national security council later on Sunday.
The president, who spoke with Saudi Arabia‘s Crown Prince and the leader of Oman earlier Sunday, “intends to continue his contacts with European partners and leaders in the region in the coming hours”, his office added.
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