Key points
- Macron had suggested Trump was leaving G7 as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Iran
- Says Trump appears to have changed his opinion since he met G7 leaders
- Says what was done in Iraq and Libya was not a good idea
ISLAMABAD: French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday underlined his differences with United States (US) President Donald Trump over Iran, appearing to oppose tougher military action against Tehran that could lead to regime change and plunge Iran and the region into chaos.
According to Reuters, Macron on Monday had suggested to reporters that Trump was leaving the G7 as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
He was firmly rebuffed Tuesday morning when Trump on X said Macron was mistaken and said his departure had nothing to do with securing a ceasefire.
Since Tuesday morning, Trump has upped the bellicose rhetoric demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and warning that US patience was wearing thin as the Israel-Iran air war raged for a fifth day.
“Changed his opinion”
Israel has said it launched its operation to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, something Tehran has repeatedly denied.
Macron said Trump appeared to have changed his opinion since he met G7 leaders in Canada on Monday where Macron claimed Trump had told them he was pushing for a ceasefire.
“We don’t want Iran to get a nuclear weapon,” Macron said. “But the biggest error would be to use military strikes to change the regime because it would then be chaos and our responsibility is to return discussions as quickly as possible to be able to set a course again on the nuclear and ballistic question.”
Macron said Iran’s nuclear programme had to be once again be put under international supervision and its ballistic missile arsenal reduced, but he was categorically opposed to strikes on energy infrastructure, civilians and military action that could lead to regime change.
Not a good idea
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could face the same fate as Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
“Does anyone think that what was done in Iraq in 2003 was a good idea? Does anyone think that what was done in Libya the next decade was a good idea? No!,” Macron said.
“I’m also thinking of our friends in the region, in Iraq, Lebanon, and elsewhere. We must help them reduce everything that, indeed, threatens their security, but they need anything but chaos.”
In stark contrast with Germany
Macron’s comments were also in stark contrast with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Israel was doing the “dirty work” for its Western allies, but could fall short without US support.
Israel has severely hit Iran’s nuclear programme, but without US firepower can likely not destroy Fordow. “The Israeli army is obviously unable to accomplish that. It lacks the necessary weapons. But the Americans have them,” said Merz in an interview with broadcaster ZDF.
In another interview, he said the decision could be made soon depending on whether Iran was prepared to return to the negotiating table, according to Reuters.
US involvement
According to AFP, analysts say the future of any diplomatic progress lies with the United States and Trump, who has so far resisted Israeli pressure to become directly involved in the conflict.
“Netanyahu’s goal is to bring Trump into the war,” said David Khalfa, co-founder of the Atlantic Middle East Forum think tank.
“But I think he will stand back and let Israel continue to weaken Iran to force it to negotiate” with the Islamic republic in a weaker position, Khalfa said.
