The French Foreign Minister called on Iran to make concessions to end the fighting

“Regardless of the results of the ongoing military operations, a new political solution can bring lasting results. On this issue, the Iranian government must be ready to make major concessions, a complete change in stance,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said during his visit to Israel today.

Foreign Minister Barrot said he did not see the possibility of the war ending soon, but affirmed that France and its allies would continue to make efforts to find a long-term solution.

“There is no short-term path out of the current escalating situation in the Middle East, which somewhat began on October 7, 2023,” he said, referring to the Hamas raid on Israeli territory nearly three years ago. “But this should not be seen as an excuse for inaction.”

He also reiterated Europe’s call to stop attacks on energy infrastructure in the region, after Israel’s raid on Iran’s key gas fields caused energy prices to rise.

Iran has not commented on this statement. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei today declared that Tehran is “determined not to let all enemies, domestic or foreign, be safe”, showing that the country will not give in anytime soon.

Since the outbreak of war in Iran on February 28, France has tried to maintain a balanced stance, criticizing US and Israeli airstrikes as “illegal and lacking authority”, but also accusing Iran of destabilizing the region.

The French Foreign Minister said that stability in the Middle East also depends on the implementation of President Donald Trump’s peace plan in the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Trump’s plan includes disarming the Hamas group, in parallel with the roadmap to gradually withdraw the Israeli army and deploy an international stabilization force in the strip of land. During the transition period, a Palestinian technocrat committee will take over day-to-day operations.

Iran is a supporter of Hamas and militia groups belonging to the “Axis of Resistance” in the Middle East. Over the years, Israel has repeatedly attacked these groups, significantly reducing Iran’s influence in the region.

The war between the US – Israel and Iran is about to enter its fourth week but there is no sign of cooling down. The fighting has left more than 2,000 people dead, threatened oil and gas supplies in the Middle East and sent global energy markets reeling.