Melenchon: No justification for Netanyahu’s attack on Iran

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
19 Jun 2025 05:47

Jean-Luc Melenchon condemns Netanyahu’s strike on Iran as politically driven and rejects claims of an Iranian nuclear threat, calling for a ceasefire.

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La France Insoumise founder Jean-Luc Mélenchon, delivers his speech after the second round of the legislative elections, in Paris, France, on July 7, 2024. (AP)

French leftist leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military strike on Iran, calling it politically motivated and unjustified. He called for an immediate ceasefire and demanded international action to prevent a broader regional war.

Speaking during a seminar on the Middle East's geopolitical crisis, streamed live on YouTube, Melenchon said, “Netanyahu’s attack on Iran comes at a crucial moment.”

“Netanyahu has never been so isolated, and everyone agrees that genocide is underway in Gaza. There, a child is killed every 40 minutes. Ninety percent of the buildings have been destroyed,” he underlined.

Netanyahu's attack linked to political troubles

Melenchon linked the military strike to Netanyahu’s domestic political challenges, noting, “On June 12, 2025, Netanyahu narrowly escaped a vote of no confidence. On the 13th, he attacked Iran. The situation in the Middle East is now completely different.”

This highlighted the perception that Netanyahu’s actions may have been designed to shift focus away from severe political crises within the Israeli regime and the prolonged war on Gaza.

Rejection of Iran nuclear threat claims

Melenchon rejected claims that Iran poses an imminent nuclear threat, stating, “There is no reason to believe those who claim that Iran is preparing to use a nuclear bomb on Israel.”

He added that, according to US security agencies, Iran is not at risk of producing an atomic bomb.

“Right now, there’s no pretext, no threat, that justifies Netanyahu’s attacks,” he emphasized.

Criticism of Iran’s political system, but calls for diplomacy

Melenchon, no friend of Iran's government, which he described as a "theocratic regime", said that Tehran "is always a danger to the rest of humanity."

Despite his criticism of Iran, Melenchon stressed the importance of diplomatic solutions over military conflict. He also announced that his movement would join a demonstration alongside Iranian feminist opposition members, with the slogan "Neither Netanyahu nor Khamenei," in reference to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

Call for denuclearization, international unity

Melenchon also said that the way to end the nuclear arms race in the Middle East is not through an “aggressive war against Iran, but through the complete denuclearization of the region,” including "Israel" which does not publicly acknowledge its possession of nuclear bombs.

Diplomacy over military escalation

Melenchon stressed that diplomacy must take precedence over military escalation. “We demand a ceasefire between Israel and Iran,” he stated.

“If it is rejected, we must convene the UN Security Council. If nothing comes of it, let’s convene the UN General Assembly. This is what the rebels would do if we were running France,” he claimed.