Iran's FM Araghchi urges Macron to heed public demands in France

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday criticized French President Emmanuel Macron in a post on his X account, stating that Macron "made his bed when he assured POTUS that he welcomes atrocities against Iran." Araghchi added that it is "too late to blame the war his ilk helped cause," and said that "the French people demand wholesale change, including freedom of assembly." He concluded with the remark, "Listen to the future of France, Mr. Macron."

The comments come amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, with France positioning itself as an ally of Washington. Araghchi's remarks suggest that Macron's support for US policies toward Iran has consequences, and he urged the French president to pay attention to domestic demands for change.

Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also criticized Macron over what he described as a double standard on nuclear deterrence. Baghaei referred to a recent test of a ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, during which Macron said that "in order to be free, one must be feared, and to be feared, one must be powerful." Baghaei's criticism highlights Iran's concerns about France's nuclear posture and its perceived hypocrisy.

The exchange underscores the strained relations between Iran and France, which have been further complicated by France's alignment with the US on issues related to Iran's nuclear program and regional policies. According to Mehr News, the Iranian foreign minister's remarks reflect Iran's frustration with European countries that it sees as enabling US aggression.