Paris: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated on Monday that the recent attack launched by the United States and Israel against Iran warranted a prior debate, emphasizing the importance of engaging with the United Nations Security Council to legitimize the use of force.
According to Anadolu Agency, Barrot expressed his concern during a news briefing, highlighting the paralysis within the UN Security Council due to the veto power of certain permanent members, which hampers collective action even when necessary to uphold international law. He emphasized that the unilateral decision by Israel and the United States should have been discussed within the appropriate international bodies.
Barrot stressed that legitimacy for such actions can only be achieved through engagement with the Security Council. He lamented the missed opportunity to resolve the situation within the framework of international institutions, which he believes are essential for establishing lasting peace and stability.
The French foreign minister conveyed France's solidarity with regional countries impacted by Iran's retaliatory attacks and expressed readiness to assist in their defense if requested, in line with international law's principle of collective self-defense. He urged for a halt to further military escalation to avoid prolonged instability in the region.
Barrot also highlighted the priority of ensuring the safety of French citizens, noting that approximately 400,000 French nationals are in or visiting the affected Middle Eastern countries. He confirmed that French forces are prepared to facilitate evacuations if necessary and reported that no French casualties have been reported thus far.
The attack by the US and Israel on Iran resulted in the deaths of several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf countries. Despite calls for renewed diplomacy, Iranian officials have declined to engage in talks proposed by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.
The US-Israeli attack occurred amid ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Oman. Previously, Israel and Iran were involved in a 12-day conflict last year, during which the US briefly participated, targeting Tehran's nuclear sites.