French President Slams Civilian Strikes in Iran-Israel Escalation

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a strong warning against using military force to bring about regime change in Iran, calling such strategies “a strategic mistake.” Speaking at the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, Macron cautioned that external military interventions have a long history of failure and often worsen the situation they aim to solve.

“Those who believe that bombing from the outside can save a country despite itself and against itself have always been wrong,” Macron said in a pointed remark directed at those calling for aggressive action against Tehran.

His comments come amid growing regional tensions following a deadly exchange of airstrikes between Iran and Israel—violence that has claimed hundreds of civilian lives in just a few days.

Macron Condemns Attacks on Civilians

Macron also took a firm stance against the continued targeting of civilian infrastructure by both Iranian and Israeli forces. He urged an immediate halt to all strikes on non-military targets, calling the attacks “absolutely intolerable.”

“It is essential that all strikes carried out on both sides—against energy sites, administrative centers, cultural landmarks, and especially civilians—must stop. Nothing justifies them,” Macron told reporters.

The French leader’s remarks reflected the wider concern at the G7 summit, where leaders from the world’s most developed economies discussed the escalating Middle East conflict alongside economic and climate challenges.

G7 Communique Labels Iran a Source of Regional Instability

Alongside Macron’s speech, the G7 issued a formal communique that directly accused Iran of fueling instability and terrorism in the Middle East. The statement singled out Tehran’s nuclear program and its support for regional armed groups as major threats to peace and security.

“Iran remains the main source of instability and terrorism in the region,” the communique said, further hardening the West’s tone as military activity between Israel and Iran intensifies.

Rising Civilian Casualties as Conflict Escalates

Tensions between Iran and Israel have sharply increased since Friday, when Israel launched a series of airstrikes on military and nuclear facilities across Iran. In response, Tehran fired dozens of missiles into Israeli territory.

The human toll is staggering: Iranian officials claim at least 224 people have died and over 1,000 others have been injured since the Israeli assault began. On the other side, Israeli authorities report 24 deaths and hundreds of injuries from Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes.

These developments have sparked fears of a wider regional war, drawing global leaders into a delicate diplomatic balancing act as they seek to de-escalate tensions while condemning violence.

Looking Ahead: A Plea for Diplomacy

President Macron’s message was clear: regime change through force is not the answer. Instead, he urged the international community to pursue diplomatic channels, promote restraint, and prioritize humanitarian protections.

As the Iran-Israel conflict shows no sign of slowing, Macron’s call serves as a reminder that long-term peace in the region can only come through political solutions—not more bombs.