Macron condemns Iran's “unprecedented” attack against Israel and asks to “avoid an escalation” in the region

Follow live the latest news on Iran's attack on Israel

Confirms that the French Army carried out interceptions from bases in Jordan

April 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, criticized this Monday the “unprecedented” attack by Iran against Israel and has advocated for “avoiding an escalation” in the region, while confirming that the French Armed Forces carried out drone interceptions and missiles launched by Iranian forces.

“We have condemned with the utmost firmness this attack by Iran,” he said in an interview with the French television channel BFM TV, before emphasizing that it was “unprecedented”, since Tehran “launched hundreds of drones and missiles from its territory against the territory of Israel.”

Thus, he has spoken of “victory for Israel”, since “it was able to stop almost all of the drones and missiles without them hitting its territory”, although he has recognized that “everyone” has “the fear” that the situation could lead to a regional “conflagration.”

“France has been at Israel's side and under American coordination with our British friends,” said Macron, confirming Paris' participation in the response to the Iranian attack. “We are in Jordanian territory. At Jordan's request, we carried out interceptions, in strict protection and defense,” he argued.

“We have condemned, we have intervened and today we have to do everything possible to avoid a conflagration, that is, an escalation,” he stressed. “Israel must be convinced that it is not necessary to respond, but rather to isolate Iran and convince the countries of the region that it is a danger, increase sanctions, reinforce pressure on nuclear activities and find a path to peace in the region,” he said.

For this reason, the French president has asked Israel for “prudence regarding Rafah”, in a new warning against Israeli plans to launch a military offensive against the city, located in the south of the Gaza Strip and on the border with Egypt. Furthermore, he has advocated for “a ceasefire” and has warned that the situation in the Middle East “is very unstable.”