The Iran war requires a 'serious' approach that does not change every day, Emmanuel Macron has said, in an apparent reference to US President Donald Trump's seemingly contradictory remarks about the conflict. 'This is not a show. We are talking about war and peace and the lives of men and women,' the French president told journalists upon arrival in South Korea for a state visit. 'When you want to be serious you don't say every day the opposite of what you said the day before,' Macron added. 'And maybe you shouldn't be speaking every day. You should just let things quieten down.'
Macron was answering questions on the US-Israel war in Iran, which has now entered its second month. France and other European countries have supported some of the US operations in the region, but have so far resisted getting dragged into the war. Trump and his administration have so far offered mixed messages on the conflict, at various times suggesting that a ceasefire was near, that the war had already been won, or that the US was going to fight on.
Macron also addressed Trump's recent comments in which the US president said he was reconsidering his country's membership of NATO. 'Alliances like NATO are valuable because of what is unspoken – meaning the trust behind them,' Macron said, arguing that casting doubt on one's commitment to the organization emptied it of its substance. He emphasized the importance of partnerships that signify commitment, rather than merely commenting on obligations daily.
He stated that too much chatter leads to confusion, asserting, 'I feel like there is too much chatter, it's all over the place.' Macron highlighted that it was not his responsibility to comment on operations decided unilaterally by the US and Israel and criticized Trump's dismissive statements regarding France's role in the conflict.
The French president reminded everyone of the need for international observers to check the situation regarding Iran's nuclear program and the necessity of establishing frameworks for limiting further enrichment initiatives, rather than short-lived military actions. Macron's remarks have drawn attention amid growing tensions following recent military strikes and provocations in the region.
Macron was answering questions on the US-Israel war in Iran, which has now entered its second month. France and other European countries have supported some of the US operations in the region, but have so far resisted getting dragged into the war. Trump and his administration have so far offered mixed messages on the conflict, at various times suggesting that a ceasefire was near, that the war had already been won, or that the US was going to fight on.
Macron also addressed Trump's recent comments in which the US president said he was reconsidering his country's membership of NATO. 'Alliances like NATO are valuable because of what is unspoken – meaning the trust behind them,' Macron said, arguing that casting doubt on one's commitment to the organization emptied it of its substance. He emphasized the importance of partnerships that signify commitment, rather than merely commenting on obligations daily.
He stated that too much chatter leads to confusion, asserting, 'I feel like there is too much chatter, it's all over the place.' Macron highlighted that it was not his responsibility to comment on operations decided unilaterally by the US and Israel and criticized Trump's dismissive statements regarding France's role in the conflict.
The French president reminded everyone of the need for international observers to check the situation regarding Iran's nuclear program and the necessity of establishing frameworks for limiting further enrichment initiatives, rather than short-lived military actions. Macron's remarks have drawn attention amid growing tensions following recent military strikes and provocations in the region.
