'Orwellian doublespeak': Iran slams France’s silence on US‑Israeli violations in region

 The spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry has lashed out at French authorities for persisting in their “Orwellian doublespeak” and keeping silent vis-à-vis the most blatant US-Israeli violations of international law in Palestine, Lebanon and Iran.

In a post on his X account on Wednesday, Esmaeil Baghaei said the French authorities remain “acquiescent” in the face of the most blatant violations of international law, including the genocide of Palestinians and continued aggression against Lebanon, as well as the blatant illegal US-Israeli war on Iran.

While France’s top officials remain passive in the face of such atrocities, “they call on Iran to de-escalate!!,” he expressed wonder, adding, “Did Iran initiate this [US-Israel] war?! Why don't you call out the aggressors?!” 
“This is akin to urging the French Resistance during World War II to de-escalate in the face of the Nazi invasion of #France,” he emphasized.

Baghaei’s reaction came after French President Emmanuel Macron called on Iran on Tuesday to engage in “negotiations in good faith in order to open a path toward de-escalation,” even as Paris has failed to slam the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression on Iran, which began on February 28.  

Iran’s FM hails German president for condemning US-Israeli aggression

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has lauded German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for his outspoken condemnation of human rights violations against the Iranian people as the United States and Israel continue their aggression against the country.

Following a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Macron claimed on X that diplomacy is the key route to easing tensions in the region. This is while the attacks on Iran came as Tehran and Washington were in the midst of talks over Iran's peaceful nuclear program. 

Macron added that efforts should be made to “provide a framework to address the expectations of the international community regarding Iran’s nuclear and ballistic program,” as well as what he described as regional destabilizing activities.

The French president urged Iran to end attacks on regional countries without acknowledging that Iran is targeting US military assets in the region and that regional countries have been allowing their soil and airspace to be used for attacks on Iran. 

Iran warns any regional country aiding enemies to seize its islands will face severe reprisal

Iran

The French president further called on Tehran to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the Persian Gulf, which has been tightly controlled by Iran since the start of the aggression.

Tehran has repeatedly noted that ships belonging to countries that have not backed the US-Israeli aggression can freely pass through the strait. 

Since the unprovoked aggression, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against US interests in the region and the Israeli-occupied territories, exercising its right to self-defense. 

Iran has, before the war, warned the regional countries that it would target US military bases they host in the event of any act of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

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