The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, warned that it is “unacceptable” for France to be the target of attacks amid regional escalation following the joint attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, as this country has targeted Ukraine.
Macron made these statements in a post on X after speaking by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He stated that France is acting strictly within a defensive framework aimed at protecting its interests, safeguarding its regional partners, and supporting freedom of navigation. He added that he had urged Iran to immediately cease the attacks it has carried out against countries in the region, either directly or through intermediary groups.
Macron also warned that the uncontrolled escalation currently underway risks plunging the entire region into chaos, with consequences that could affect not only the current situation but also the years to come. He reiterated that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be restored as soon as possible.
Ukraine in Iran's Sights
Meanwhile, Ukraine has become a target for Iran due to its involvement in the war between the United States and Israel against the Islamic republic, an Iranian legislator declared on social media. “By providing drone support to the Israeli regime, the failed Ukraine has in fact become involved in the war and, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has turned its entire territory into a legitimate target for Iran,” wrote Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran's parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, on social media X.
In response, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the threat as “absurd” in a statement. On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that more than 10 countries have already requested Kyiv's help to combat Iranian drones.
In turn, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly downplayed Ukraine's experience, declaring to Fox News on Friday that the United States has “the best drones in the world” and does not need Kyiv's help.
According to Tehran, the U.S. and Israel are attacking other Arab states
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, stated that Tehran has information that the United States and Israel are attacking Arab states in the West Asian region from certain locations. He made these statements in an interview with the pan-Arab media Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, parts of which were published on Sunday, questioning the origin of the attacks on Arab states in the region that were attributed to Iran.
Araghchi indicated that Iran is willing to meet with regional states and form a joint committee to investigate the nature of the targets attacked. He added that Iranian attacks only targeted U.S. bases and interests in retaliation for attacks launched from those sites. Araghchi stated that the United States developed a drone similar to Iran's Shahed 136, called “LUCAS,” to attack targets in Arab countries. He also accused Israel of attacking Arab civilians to sabotage their relations with Iran, and added: “To date, Iran has not attacked any civilian or residential area in the region.”
He stated that contacts with neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar continue, and that regional countries are mediating to reduce tensions and propose ideas to end the war.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi stated that it is open to all ships except for Americans and their allies. He described Iran's situation as “stable,” noting that there have been no defections from state or military institutions. He also commented that the Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in good health and maintains full control of the country, according to Xinhua news agency cables picked up by the Argentine News Agency.
