France rejects US criticism over Iran, says 'it is not our operation'

ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron denounced on Thursday Washington's criticism for not getting help on Iran, stressing that it is not their operation.

"I am not the commentator on an operation that the Americans decided on with the Israelis alone. They can later regret not being supported in an operation they decided on by themselves. This is not our operation," Macron told reporters during his visit to South Korea.

He reiterated the need to build diplomatic solutions, to enable peace as quickly as possible, to establish a ceasefire, a clear framework, and to allow the resumption of free movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron further noted that the situation in Iran is "not a spectacle," and pointed to the risks each country is facing, adding that everyone is facing the consequences.

"So we must be serious. When we want to be serious, we should not say one day the opposite of what we said the day before, and perhaps we should not speak every day. We simply need to calm things down," he underscored.

He also noted that a military operation to "liberate" the Strait of Hormuz would be "unrealistic" as it would take an "infinite amount of time" and would expose anyone passing through to various risks.

“A targeted military action—even over a few weeks—cannot provide a lasting solution to the (Iran's) nuclear issue," Macron further underscored.

He warned that if there is no diplomatic and technical negotiation framework, the situation could deteriorate again within a few months or a few years.

Macron also responded to Trump's remarks about his marriage, stressing they were "neither elegant nor up to standard."

“I will not respond; it does not deserve a reply,” he added.