French President Macron stated today: "I have spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
I emphasized that it is essential to immediately cease unacceptable attacks against countries in the region, protect energy infrastructure and civilian facilities, and restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
I urge Iran to engage in negotiations in good faith, paving the way for de-escalation and establishing a framework to meet the international community's expectations regarding Iran's nuclear program, missile activities, and destabilizing regional actions.
Finally, I also urge Iran to promptly assist in the return of our citizens Cécile Koller and Jacques Paris to France."
Commentary: Macron’s entire statement puts pressure on Iran, demanding ceasefire, negotiations, and release of hostages—while sidestepping U.S. and Israeli aggression, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and other actions in the Middle East. This clearly reflects double standards. If France truly aims to de-escalate the region, protect civilians, and ensure energy security, it should apply equal pressure on the U.S. and Israel, halt their unilateral military adventurism, and call for an end to attacks on Iran—rather than adopting a one-sided stance. Demanding restraint solely from Iran while allowing allies to escalate conflict undermines Iran’s trust, fails to genuinely resolve the crisis, and erodes the credibility of mediation efforts, revealing France’s biased interests and imbalanced position in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860584951277706/
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