ISTANBUL

France's former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has said US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision on Iran should have "real and tangible consequences."

"Any country that engages in an illegitimate, illegal intervention must pay the price for rebuilding what it has destroyed. You destroy, you repair," Villepin told broadcaster BFM TV on Sunday.

He added that the decisions of Trump and Netanyahu should have "real and tangible consequences."

"My proposal is that from now on, we should establish, through a United Nations General Assembly resolution—since the Security Council is deadlocked—a principle of reparations," Villepin underscored.

He further called for sanctions against Israel, which has been expanding its offensive in Lebanon.

"I believe our democracies must and can act. Economic sanctions are possible; political sanctions are possible," Villepin noted.

He also criticized that France has not been active enough in mobilizing the EU on Lebanon and the Middle East. "France is missing the boat, missing history."

Villepin further hailed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for saving "Europe's honor" by refusing to allow the US to use its bases to attack Iran.

Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 400 people and displaced thousands across Lebanon since Monday amid cross-border attacks with Hezbollah.

The escalation flared up since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran, killing more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets​​​​​​​.