On the evening of March 15 local time, French President Macron said that he had called Iranian President Pezeshkian, stating that France being targeted was "unacceptable," and called for the restoration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

On the same day, Macron posted on X, saying: "I have just spoken with Iranian President Pezeshkian. I call on him to immediately stop Iran's unacceptable attacks on regional countries, whether direct or through proxies, including actions in Lebanon and Iraq."

"I remind him that France's actions are strictly within a defensive framework, aimed at protecting its own interests, regional partners, and freedom of navigation. France being targeted is unacceptable," he wrote.

Macron said that the uncontrolled escalation of the situation in the Middle East is dragging the entire region into chaos, with serious consequences for the present and the next few years, and "the Iranian people, like the people of other regional countries, are paying the price for this."

He added: "Only a new political and security framework can ensure peace and security for all. This framework must ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, while addressing the threats posed by its ballistic missile program and its destabilizing activities in the region and internationally."

On March 9, during his visit to Cyprus, Macron inspected the "Charles de Gaulle" aircraft carrier stationed near Cyprus. IC Photo

According to Tasnim News Agency, Pezeshkian emphasized during the call that the insecurity and instability in the Middle East stem from the hostile actions of Israel and the United States.

Pezeshkian stated that the US recently used the territory of some Gulf states to attack Iran's oil export hub, Khark Island, and Abu Musa Island. The Iranian people, government, and armed forces have never sought tension or conflict, but they will not hesitate to take decisive and legal defensive actions in response to aggression and to defend national territorial integrity and security.

On the afternoon of the 12th, a base in Erbil, the Kurdish region of Iraq, was attacked by drones. Macron posted on the same day that a French soldier was killed in the attack, and several French soldiers were injured.

"This attack targeting our troops is unacceptable. Since 2015, French forces have been involved in operations against ISIS in the region. Our presence in Iraq is entirely within the framework of counter-terrorism. The war in Iran cannot be an excuse for such attacks," Macron said.

As part of the international coalition fighting ISIS, France has deployed hundreds of soldiers in the Erbil area. France has not disclosed the origin of the attacking drones.

Macron had announced on the 9th that he would send eight frigates and two helicopter carriers to the Middle East. Previously, France had already deployed its only aircraft carrier, the "Charles de Gaulle," to the Mediterranean and sent a frigate to Cyprus and deployed air defense systems.

However, France has clearly refused to send ships in response to Trump's recent call for allied countries such as the UK, France, Japan, and South Korea to dispatch warships for escort missions in the Strait of Hormuz, and plans only to conduct purely defensive escort missions after the conflict subsides.

French Defense Minister Catherine Colonna stated that during the ongoing escalation of the conflict, France "has no possibility" of sending any vessels to the Strait of Hormuz. She emphasized that France maintains a "purely defensive stance" and currently has no plan to move the French Navy's "Charles de Gaulle" aircraft carrier out of the eastern Mediterranean.

During his visit to Cyprus, Macron also stated that France and its allies plan to conduct purely defensive escort missions after the "most intense phase" of the war between the US and Israel against Iran, but will not intervene at this stage.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer, and may not be reprinted without permission.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7617672218222297600/

Statement: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the platform.