By The Sampadak Express
France on Sunday expressed deep concern following U.S. airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, clarifying it had no involvement in the operation or its planning. The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs urged all parties particularly the U.S., Iran, and Israel to exercise restraint to prevent a further escalation of the conflict engulfing the Middle East.
The ministry emphasized that France’s immediate priority is the protection of its nationals, diplomatic staff, and strategic interests in the region. “We call for calm and de-escalation. Further military action could destabilize the region beyond repair,” the ministry said in a statement.
While firmly condemning Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, France reaffirmed its commitment to a diplomatic resolution through the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). “A lasting solution is only possible through negotiations,” the statement added, indicating France’s readiness to contribute toward such efforts in coordination with its allies.
France also acknowledged the latest update from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which reported no alarming radiation levels detected following the strikes. However, the government remains vigilant and will convene an emergency defense cabinet meeting to assess the implications of the escalation.
President Emmanuel Macron has been in contact with several international leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and is expected to continue consultations with both European and regional counterparts later Sunday.
The U.S. strikes, carried out late Saturday (local time), targeted Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities sites considered central to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. In a press briefing, President Donald Trump described the mission as a critical blow to Iran’s “nuclear enrichment capacity” and a direct message to the “world’s leading state sponsor of terror.”
“This cannot continue. There will either be peace or a tragedy for Iran, far greater than what we’ve witnessed over the last eight days,” Trump warned, adding that more targets remain if Tehran does not cease its confrontation with Israel.
The U.S. President also praised the close cooperation with Israel, stating, “We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before.” He thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military for their role in the joint operation.
The latest escalation follows weeks of rising tensions after Israel launched a surprise strike on Iran on June 13. Israel claimed the move was a preemptive attempt to thwart Iran’s alleged ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons claims Iran has long denied.
Iranian state media confirmed that parts of the Fordow site were hit but have yet to release full details on the damage. The incident further inflames a region already strained by Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza since October 2023.
President Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday morning, hailing the strikes as a “historic moment” and urged Tehran to end hostilities. “Now is the time for peace,” he wrote, while commending the U.S. military for its “unmatched precision and strength.”
With the United States now drawn into the conflict in a direct military capacity, global calls for de-escalation are growing louder as the situation in the Middle East teeters on the brink of wider war.
