PARIS – French officials declared Monday their willingness to provide military assistance to Gulf nations facing retaliatory attacks from Iran, while criticizing recent strikes against Iranian targets as lacking proper international authorization.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced the pledge during a press conference following an emergency meeting at France’s Foreign Ministry in Paris.
“Regarding more specifically our partners in the region who have been targeted, deliberately aimed at by the Iranian regime, we stand ready to contribute to their defense,” Barrot stated to journalists.
The foreign minister clarified that any French assistance would come “based on their request, in a proportionate manner and in accordance with the principle of collective self-defence provided for under international law.”
Barrot also criticized Saturday’s military actions by Israel and the United States against Iran, arguing these “unilateral strikes” should have received authorization from the U.N. Security Council to gain proper legitimacy.
The French official urged Iran to cease its current offensive operations and make significant compromises to reach a diplomatic resolution that could bring stability to the Middle East.
According to Barrot, no French personnel were injured in Sunday’s drone strike on a French naval facility in Abu Dhabi, though the attack resulted in minor property damage.
