Macron: Strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites not enough… a robust framework is needed

French President Emmanuel Macron said recent military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities is insufficient, stressing that “short-term strikes alone cannot permanently resolve the nuclear issue” and underscoring the need for an international monitoring regime and a stringent regulatory framework.

According to CNN on the 3rd (local time), Macron, referring to Iran’s nuclear sites coming under airstrikes again, noted: “Six months ago we were told everything had been destroyed and resolved, but in reality strikes are continuing.”

Macron in particular strongly called for international inspectors to be deployed on the ground. He criticized the situation, saying that unless international inspectors directly verify where existing nuclear material is and how research is progressing and conduct site inspections, “(military operations) cannot be a serious solution.”

He added that “even targeted military actions lasting several weeks do not provide a long-term solution to the nuclear issue,” emphasizing that “the most demanding and strict framework must underpin efforts to prevent new uranium enrichment and to deal with nuclear material remaining on site.”

This stands in contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach, which has advanced a scorched-earth strategy, saying he would “destroy even bridges and power plants.” Macron placed weight on technical verification after military destruction and on an international agreement. The remarks are seen as a call for strategic shifts among Western countries dealing with Iran’s nuclear issue.