France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks to journalists as he arrives for a EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 19, 2026. JOHN THYS / AFP
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, March 19, criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of failing to condemn Israel and the United States' war with the Islamic republic, while voicing concern over Tehran's retaliation.
On Wednesday, Macron called for imposing a moratorium on strikes after Iran attacked Qatar's key Ras Laffan facilities, part of the world's largest gas field. The strikes followed an attack on Iranian facilities in the same gas field, which it shares with Qatar.
The following day, the French president warned of a "reckless escalation" as Iran struck a series of Gulf energy sites after an Israeli attack on its South Pars gas field. Speaking on arrival at EU talks in Brussels, Macron warned that if Middle Eastern energy "production capacities themselves are destroyed, this war will have a much more lasting impact," calling for "direct talks between the Americans and Iranians on this matter."
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