France Opposes Any Strikes on Iran's Civil Infrastructure - Barro

According to Ukrinform, Jean-Noël Barro, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, has addressed the latest threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested the possibility of destroying Iran. These comments were made during an interview on French radio station franceinfo, where Barro highlighted that such ultimatums are not unprecedented for the U.S. president.

Barro pointed out that strikes on civil infrastructure are prohibited under international law, and should a conflict arise in Iran, it could lead to a new phase of escalation that threatens not only the region but also the global economy. 'This will undoubtedly open a new phase of escalation, which will drag the region and the world economy into a vicious circle,' he stated.

The minister also emphasized that France is against any attacks on civil infrastructure, a stance that applies not only to Iran but also to Ukraine, where France has repeatedly condemned attacks by Russian President Vladimir Putin on energy infrastructure. 'Ultimately, regarding the threats voiced by the American president, we again stand against any strikes on civil infrastructure,' Barro explained.

In the minister's view, the world may witness a significant regional conflagration if the situation continues to escalate. 'We are already observing a rapid increase in fuel prices. If the energy infrastructure in Iran becomes a target, we can expect retaliation from the Iranian regime, which will further worsen the situation,' he warned.

Barro also reported that France, along with its partners, continues to work on implementing a special escort system for vessels following the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz. This initiative aims to expedite the resumption of shipping traffic and alleviate price pressure on hydrocarbons. 'Imagine you have vessels arriving and departing, you have insurance companies assessing the risk each vessel is exposed to. What we are preparing is, in a way, what we have already done in the Red Sea region with a European operation that, using military ships, has ensured the passage of 1,600 vessels over the past two years, vessels that were at risk of attack from the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen. This is a similar approach, but developed purely defensively, without attacking anyone,' the minister elaborated.

He also added that this system will be implemented in coordination with regional countries, including Oman and Iran, which geographically control the Strait of Hormuz. This is an important step, as the situation in the region remains tense, and any actions could have serious consequences.

It is worth noting that U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that a 'major moment' in world history would occur that night, emphasizing that 'a whole civilization will perish.' These words have raised concerns among the international community, which is closely monitoring developments in the region.