Whose side is France on? Macron cautions against regime change in Iran

The French president warns that military action could trigger chaos in the Middle East, as tensions between Israel, Iran, and the US escalate.

By David Brummer, World Israel News

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark warning on Tuesday against any attempt to overthrow Iran’s government through military force, arguing such action would plunge the Middle East into further instability, reported Israel National News.

Speaking at the G7 summit in Canada, Macron said, “The biggest mistake today would be to try to engineer regime change in Iran through military means because that would lead to chaos. No one can say what comes next.”

Macron’s remarks come amid growing speculation over US involvement in Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran, which has seen airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure and killing senior Iranian officials.

Israel has defended the operation as an existential measure to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Reports indicate that US President Donald Trump is considering joining Israeli strikes, including on Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility.

CBS News noted disagreement among Trump’s top advisers over the wisdom of direct US involvement, with further deliberations expected at the White House.

Adding to the tension, Iran has reportedly readied missiles and other military assets for potential retaliatory attacks on US bases across the region should Washington enter the conflict.

American officials warn that escalation could prompt Iran to mine the Strait of Hormuz, potentially disrupting global oil shipments, while Iranian-backed groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen may resume attacks on American interests and Red Sea shipping lanes.

Macron said the G7 had discussed the possibility of brokering a ceasefire, and on Monday hinted that Trump’s early departure from the summit was part of those efforts.

However, Trump rejected the claim the next day, writing on Truth Social that Macron was mistaken and had “no idea” why he had left.

By Tuesday, Trump had escalated his rhetoric, demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and signaling that US patience was running out as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its fifth day.

“We don’t want Iran to get a nuclear weapon,” Macron reiterated.

“But the biggest error would be to use military strikes to change the regime because it would then be chaos. Our responsibility is to return to dialogue and reestablish a framework for addressing the nuclear and ballistic issues.”