Marcon Vows France Will Defend Israel Against Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that France will defend Israel if it is attacked by Iran.

If Iran attacks Israel in retaliation, France, considering “its assets,” and if in a position to do so, will participate in operations to “protect and defend Israel,” Macron said at a news briefing.

“I have expressed our readiness in this regard,” Macron said, adding that France has no intention of participating in any offensive operation.

France will not participate in an “offensive operation,” he said, advocating for a “diplomatic path” in response to the recently escalated tensions between the two countries following Israeli strikes on Iran.

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“Faced with the major risk of destabilization for the entire region, France now calls on all parties to exercise the greatest restraint to avoid escalation. The issue of Iran’s nuclear program is a serious matter, an existential one. It must now be resolved through negotiation,” Macron said.

He also voiced his “regret” over the fact that Iran had not taken seriously the US proposal allowing limited low-level uranium enrichment.

“I say it with the utmost clarity: the risk of Iran progressing toward nuclear weapons threatens the region, Europe, and more broadly, collective stability. We cannot live in a world where Iran possesses the atomic bomb, because it is an existential threat and a threat to our security,” he added.

Macron further reaffirmed that he has not participated in the recent operations or their planning.

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“We decided to reinforce our Sentinelle operation to address all potential threats on national soil. Several measures were also adopted to guarantee the safety of our nationals, our troops, and our embassies in the region,” Macron also announced following the National Security and Defense Council meeting held on Friday.

“Operation Sentinelle” will allow the daily mobilization of army soldiers to ensure the security of places of worship and sensitive sites, along with schools, tourist sites, train stations, and airports, according to French broadcaster BFM TV.