Despite US President Donald Trump's ceasefire declaration, French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned that the situation surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict remains "unstable", reinforcing the view that diplomacy should preside over military might in resolving the Middle East crisis.
"The situation clearly remains volatile and unstable. I think it's a very good thing that President Trump is calling for a ceasefire," Macron told reporters on Tuesday during a visit to Norway.
Trump said earlier that Israel and Iran had agreed to a truce which would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations first. He said Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.
Noting reports of missiles having been fired after the ceasefire announcement, the French president said that "the last few minutes have shown that the situation remains very fragile".
Israel launched strikes against Iran on 13 June, hitting nuclear and military sites as well as residential areas, and prompting waves of Iranian missile attacks on Israel.
While Iran and Israel have been in a shadow war against each other for decades, this has been by far the most destructive confrontation between the arch-foes.
Macron reiterates call for resumption of diplomacy to stop Middle East conflict
Secret uranium enrichment
Macron also said that "one of the main risks for the region and the international community" was that Iran would attempt to enrich uranium covertly.
Western powers, including the United States, have long accused Iran of secretly working to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the claim, saying its programme is peaceful.
"This risk has indeed increased with what has happened recently," Macron told reporters, adding that "we must absolutely prevent Iran from going down this path".
The comments came after the US targeted an underground uranium enrichment centre with massive bunker-busting bombs and hitting two other nuclear facilities at the weekend.
Iran retaliated on Monday by launching a missile towards the largest US military facility in the Middle East – Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Macron took to social media to convey France's support for Qatar and "each of its partners in the Gulf".
France expresses concern, urges restraint, over US strikes on Iran
He declared that US strikes on Iran were not legal, but that France supported the objective of keeping Tehran from developing nuclear arms.
"While we can consider there being legitimacy in neutralising nuclear structures in Iran given the objectives we share... There is no legality in these strikes," Macron told reporters in Norway.
"We have consistently believed from the beginning that this can only be achieved through diplomatic and technical means," the French president said, speaking alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Store echoed the sentiment.
"International law has some clear principles on the use of force. It can be granted by the Security Council or it can be in pure self defence," Macron said, noting that this meant the strikes were "outside the realm of international law."
Exercise restraint
The US decision to launch strikes on Iran in support of Israel has divided Europe's NATO members, who are gathering for a two-day summit in The Hague.
Germany is strongly backing the US move but others – including Norway – have said it broke international law.
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The French head of state also voiced his opposition to any intention of a regime change in Iran through military means.
"Every time we've made this choice, whatever the legitimacy of the initial approach ... we made a mistake," he said, adding that such actions had not led to increased stability in the past.
"I call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, de-escalate and return to the negotiating table," Macron said.
(with AFP)
