France, the UK and Germany said late last week that they were not involved in the US-Israeli attack on Iran but were prepared to take defensive action to destroy Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones.
President Emmanuel Macron said in a pre-recorded speech on French TV on Tuesday that French forces shot down the drones “in legitimate self-defense in the first hours of the conflict to protect the airspace of our allies.” He did not explain.
Macron said Rafale fighter jets, air defense systems and airborne radar systems have been deployed in the Middle East for the past few hours.
“And we will continue this effort as long as necessary,” Macron said.
In explaining the decision to evacuate France’s aircraft carrier, Macron cited a drone that damaged the runway of a British air force base in Cyprus, a member of the European Union and France recently signed a strategic partnership with the island nation.
It needs our support, he said.
The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier will be escorted by frigates and its air wing, Macron added.
Read moreMacron says France is sending its aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean
Macron noted that France has defense agreements binding the EU nation to Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, and strong commitments to Jordan and Iraq.
Noting that the war had spread to Lebanon, Macron said the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah had made a “serious mistake of hitting Israel” and putting the Lebanese people at risk but warned against launching an Israeli ground operation.
“This too is a dangerous escalation and a strategic error,” he said. “Hezbollah must cease all strikes and I call on Israel to respect Lebanese territory and its integrity.”
Underscoring France’s traditional support for the rules-based international order, Macron noted that France “cannot approve” of the US-Israel standoff in Iran as it has moved outside the framework of “international law”.
He said the strikes must end as soon as possible and lasting peace can be achieved in the region only through the resumption of diplomatic talks.
“That is, history never weeps for the executioners of their own people, and none of them mourn,” he said, referring to the assassinations of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials.
Macron expressed his hope that Iranians will now have the opportunity to establish a government that better reflects the will of the people.
“I want to express the hope that the Iranian people can decide their future independently,” he said.
Macron emphasized Iran’s own responsibility for the conflict.
“Iran, which has developed a dangerous nuclear program and unprecedented ballistic capabilities, has armed and financed terrorist groups in neighboring countries – Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq – and Hamas, and has always confirmed its intention to destroy the State of Israel,” he said.
(AP with France 24)
(tags to translate)Middle East
