ISTANBUL
France on Friday urged a stronger European pillar of NATO in the face of “American uncertainty” and "rising Russian aggression,” amid escalating tensions in the Middle East with the US-Israeli continued attacks on Iran.
“Faced with American uncertainty and rising Russian aggression, we must strengthen the European pillar of NATO,” French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told France Inter.
Confavreux stressed the need for Europe to strengthen its “strategic autonomy.”
“We must be capable of making our own decisions,” he said, noting that this effort includes increasing “defense spending,” which France plans to double over a decade between 2017 and 2027.
The spokesperson also said that, while France maintains “dialogue” with the US, differences remain over NATO’s role in the Middle East.
"NATO, as its name indicates, focuses on North Atlantic security. Therefore, neither its mandate nor its role would make it the right tool to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz,” Confavreux added.
France has consistently emphasized that the conflict in the “Strait of Hormuz” is “not our war,” the spokesperson underscored.
He further noted that military operations to reopen the strategic waterway would be “unrealistic” and could escalate the conflict in the region.
He emphasized that France’s priority is to restore “freedom of navigation” and prepare for a “military escort of civilian vessels” once hostilities cease, within a framework of negotiations that would include Iran.
He also added that France has maintained communication with Israel despite disagreements over “military operations” and diplomatic measures.
Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.