Macron Critiques Trump’s Actions Following US Strikes on Iran

Emmanuel Macron has expressed concerns regarding Donald Trump's military response to Iranian nuclear sites, warning that the US strikes might actually heighten the threat posed by Iran. The two leaders had previously enjoyed a cooperative diplomatic rapport, though tensions have surfaced recently, notably during the G7 summit in Canada. Trump criticized Macron for seeking publicity and claimed that the French President often misjudges circumstances, particularly regarding Trump's early departure from the gathering.

Over the weekend, Trump authorized a military operation dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer," which involved advanced B-2 bombers and missile launches aimed at three Iranian nuclear locations. While the Trump administration hailed this operation as successful, Macron asserted that it might exacerbate the potential for Iran to continue its uranium enrichment clandestinely, especially following a series of Israeli airstrikes in the region. He reiterated France's commitment to pursuing diplomatic negotiations to mitigate worries about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stressing a shared goal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weaponry.

In a series of posts on his social media platform, Trump praised the skill and bravery of the B-2 pilots involved in the strikes, claiming these actions contributed to a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. Despite expressing frustrations over violations of the ceasefire by both parties, Trump maintained that the truce was still in effect. Following accusations from Israel that Iran launched missiles toward its territory after the agreement was to take place, the Iranian military refuted these claims. Trump conveyed his displeasure at the breaches but later indicated that the ceasefire agreement had resilience, noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed further military action against Iran after discussions with him.