Iran has sharply criticised Emmanuel Macron over his response to the escalating Middle East conflict, accusing the French leader of condemning Tehran’s retaliation while remaining silent on earlier strikes carried out by Israel and the United States against Iranian targets.
The criticism came from Abbas Araghchi, who said President Macron had failed to denounce what he described as a coordinated Israel–US military campaign against Iran, despite expressing concern over Tehran’s latest military response.
President Emmanuel Macron had earlier called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure after Iran launched strikes targeting strategic energy facilities linked to Qatar, including installations connected to the vast North Field gas reserve — the world’s largest natural gas field jointly shared by Qatar and Iran.
In a statement posted on X, Macron said it was in the collective interest of all parties to enforce “without delay, a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure,” referencing consultations with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Donald Trump.
Responding on the same platform, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi argued that Macron’s concern appeared selective, noting that the French president had not publicly condemned earlier attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, including fuel storage facilities in Tehran.
According to Araghchi, Iran’s latest actions were retaliatory and came only after strikes on its own gas installations. He described Macron’s position as inconsistent, saying the French leader’s concern emerged only after Iran responded militarily.
The latest exchange highlights growing diplomatic tension as the regional conflict widens, with Iran repeatedly warning that any attack on its energy infrastructure would trigger reciprocal action across the region’s strategic energy network
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