Macron warns regime change in Iran could sow 'chaos' in region

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
17 Jun 2025 23:02

French President Macron warns G7 leaders that regime change in Iran would bring “chaos,” while urging the US to lead efforts to restart diplomacy amid the escalating war on Iran.

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French President Emmanuel Macron holds a news conference at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark warning on Tuesday at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, cautioning that any attempt to overthrow Iran's government would plunge the region into “chaos", cautioning that any Western effort to enforce a regime change would be 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,” Macron had told reporters earlier. The French president underlined that external interferences aimed at toppling sovereign governments often lead to catastrophic outcomes, implicitly referencing the West’s past failures in countries like Iraq and Libya.

His remarks came in direct response to US President Donald Trump’s provocative statement earlier in the day, in which he claimed the US could easily assassinate Iran's Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, but had chosen to hold back “for now.”

Macron, attempting to strike a more measured tone, emphasized that Washington holds the key to restarting diplomatic efforts with Tehran. “I believe we need the United States of America to bring everyone back around the table,” he told reporters, suggesting that a US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and "Israel" remains possible.

Call for de-escalation, negotiations, all while condemning Iran

Despite his warnings, Macron has reiterated "Israel's" "right to self-defense" multiple times as Israeli warplanes targeted civilian sites across the Islamic Republic.

On Friday, he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but no details about the conversation were disclosed. France also issued a statement calling for de-escalation as "Israel" launched its aggression on Iran.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that Germany, France, and Britain are prepared to initiate immediate negotiations with Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear program. The move aims to reduce growing tensions in the Middle East.

Wadephul, during a visit to the region, emphasized that the objective is to contribute to the de-escalation of the war between "Israel" and Iran. He claimed that Tehran had previously missed opportunities to engage in constructive dialogue but expressed hope that this time would be different.

"I hope that's still possible," Wadephul told German public broadcaster ARD on Saturday evening. "Germany, together with France and Britain, are ready. We're offering Iran immediate negotiations about the nuclear programme, I hope (the offer) is accepted."