UK media: "Take it seriously… don’t speak every day": Macron criticizes Trump’s handling of the Iran war

French President Emmanuel Macron criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to managing the conflict with Iran, emphasizing that such conflicts must be taken “seriously” and not involve daily contradictory statements.

Speaking to journalists upon arriving in South Korea for a state visit, Macron addressed the ongoing U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran, now in its second month. He stated publicly: “This is not a performance. We are talking about war and peace, and human lives.” He added: “When you want to handle things seriously, you don’t say the opposite of what you said the day before. And perhaps you shouldn’t speak every single day. You should let things settle down.”

Moreover, Macron pointed out the confusing messages delivered by Trump during this conflict—sometimes suggesting a ceasefire was imminent, at other times declaring victory, and then again asserting that the U.S. would continue fighting.

He noted that while France and other European countries support certain actions taken by the U.S. in the region, they have refused direct involvement in the war itself.

Macron also responded to Trump’s recent remarks questioning whether the U.S. should remain in NATO. He said: “The value of an alliance like NATO lies precisely in what remains unsaid—the trust behind the scenes.” He warned that challenging commitments undermines the very essence of the alliance: “Partners sign agreements because they show up when problems arise, not because they comment daily on whether they’ll honor their promises.”

He described excessive commentary as “too much chatter, extremely chaotic.”

Regarding the U.S. and Israel independently deciding to launch military strikes against Iran, Macron remarked: “They later complain about being isolated in an action they decided on alone. This is not our operation.”

He reminded audiences that in June 2025, the U.S. had conducted airstrikes on Iran, with Trump claiming at the time that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “completely destroyed.” Yet in this current war, which erupted in February 2026, Trump claimed it was the “last best opportunity” to strike Iran’s nuclear program.

“I remind everyone: just six months ago we were told everything had already been destroyed, and all issues resolved,” he said.

He stressed the need for international inspectors to verify Iran’s nuclear development and prevent further uranium enrichment. He argued that a military campaign lasting only weeks cannot permanently resolve the nuclear issue, since “today there are still people with relevant knowledge, hidden laboratories, and so on—and there will be in the future as well.”

Trump had previously criticized France for not providing sufficient assistance in the Iran conflict. During a private lunch on Wednesday, Trump mocked Macron’s accent, claiming that Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron, “treated him extremely badly,” and joked that Macron was still “recovering from a right hook”—a likely reference to a 2025 video showing Brigitte pushing Macron.

In response, Macron said: “This is neither elegant nor appropriate. I won’t respond—these comments aren’t worth replying to.”

In fact, Trump’s remarks about Macron’s marriage sparked strong backlash in France, even drawing defense from Macron’s political critics. Manuel Bompard, head of the far-left party France Unbowed (France Insoumise), stated: “Trump speaking to him like that, and talking about his wife in such a manner—I find this absolutely unacceptable.”

Additionally, regarding Iran’s retaliatory move to block the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a global energy artery, Trump suggested affected nations should solve the issue themselves. In contrast, Macron deemed reopening the strait through military action “unrealistic,” citing the threat posed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, including ballistic missiles, making coastal operations extremely risky.

Source: BBC

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861470458128384/

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