(FILES) France's President Emmanuel Macron addresses a speech as he meets with students of Kazakhstan at Astana University in Astana on 1 November 2023. French President arrived in Central Asia on 1 November, aiming to boost France's profile in a region where Russia, China, Turkey, and Europe are all jostling for influence. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) 
WORLD

Macron urges end to civilian strikes, warns against Iran regime change

Agence France-Presse

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for an end to strikes targeting civilians in both Iran and Israel, warning against efforts to force regime change in Tehran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

"If the United States can achieve a ceasefire, that's a very good thing," Macron told reporters at a G7 summit in Canada, as the White House announced that U.S. President Donald Trump would leave the summit early due to the crisis.

Macron urged both sides to “end” attacks on civilians and cautioned against attempts to topple Iran’s clerical regime, calling such a move a “strategic error.”

"All who have thought that by bombing from the outside you can save a country in spite of itself have always been mistaken," he said.