As the conflict in Iran intensifies, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke on the phone Monday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about working towards “de-escalation” together.
The phone call came days after the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against the Islamic regime early Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a statement released Tuesday, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said both ministers agreed to “work towards de-escalation, in conjunction with the Gulf countries” and to “find a path to a political resolution guaranteeing collective security interests and provision for the Iranian people’s aspirations.”
Barrot also stated “the Iranian regime’s responsibility in the ongoing escalation, after it unjustifiably struck several countries in the region,” according to the statement.
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to its statement from Tuesday when reached for comment.
Barrot noted that the ongoing U.S.-Israel military operations in Iran were begun “without France participating or being informed,” per the statement. He also emphasized that each of the aforementioned countries were responsible for prioritizing “international institutions to resolve disagreement” and to use force “if necessary.”
The two foreign ministers have committed to continuing their “close dialogue” on the issue, according to the statement.
Nearly all of Iran’s exported oil and over half of Venezuela’s notably went to China in 2025, Politico reported on Monday, citing data from market research firm Kpler. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it was “highly concerned” by the recent attacks on Iran, the outlet reported.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote in a Tuesday X post that the Iranian regime is utilizing “mobile launchers to indiscriminately fire missiles in an attempt to inflict maximum harm across the region.”
“U.S. forces are hunting these threats down and without apology or hesitation, we are taking them out,” CENTCOM wrote in the social media post.
The recent U.S.-Israel military strikes in Iran have drawn mixed reactions from several major U.S. allies thus far. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a statement posted to X on Saturday morning that “the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security.”
“At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, and our interests in the Middle East,” Macron continued. “France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it.”
The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security.
At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens,…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 28, 2026
On Monday, Greece reportedly deployed military support to the Republic of Cyprus after a drone strike hit the U.K.’s Royal Air Force base on the island. Senior Cypriot officials claimed the drone strike was conducted by an Iranian Shahed drone which was likely fired by Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah from Lebanon, Reuters reported.
CENTCOM confirmed Monday that six U.S. service members have been killed so far in the aftermath of the military strikes in Iran, The Hill reported. Additionally, President Donald Trump told CNN’s Jake Tapper during a phone call on Monday that a “big wave” of U.S. strikes against Iran are still forthcoming.
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