French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot addresses a press briefing at the Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv on March 20, 2026. JACK GUEZ / AFP
On a visit to Israel on Friday, March 20, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that Iran must make major concessions as part of any long-term political solution following the Middle East war.
"Whatever the outcome of the ongoing military operations, it must be complemented by a political solution that produces lasting results," Barrot told journalists in Tel Aviv. "In this regard, the Iranian regime must be prepared to make major concessions – a radical change of stance." Barrot repeated a European call for a moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure after an Israeli bombardment of Iran's key gas field pushed up energy prices.
Subscribers only
Attacks on Gulf energy facilities intensify, fueling fears of a 'gas war'
