France and Great Britain call for restraint and withdrawal from US military actions against Iran

France and Great Britain call for restraint and withdrawal from US military actions against Iran

France and Great Britain call for restraint and withdrawal from US military actions against Iran

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PARIS/LONDON — In a coordinated diplomatic move, France and the United Kingdom expressed their stance against participation in United States military actions against Iran following Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Israel on April 13, 2024.

Both nations have also urged Israel to exercise restraint and not escalate the conflict with a military response on Iranian soil, sources familiar with the discussions confirmed. This call for de-escalation comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, where Iran, along with allied groups, has targeted Israel in response to a perceived attack on its consulate.

The French and British governments, in separate but synchronized statements, stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to prevent the situation from escalating into a larger regional conflict. “We are deeply concerned about the possibility of a major conflict that could further destabilize the region,” a senior French official said, echoing the views of his British counterparts.

The development follows a series of warnings from Western leaders, including the US, calling on Iran to refrain from attacks that could further escalate tensions. Despite these calls, Iran continued its attacks, triggering a new round of sanctions by the US and UK to deter further aggression.

However, the US has shown its willingness to provide military support to Israel by deploying significant naval assets to the region, including a guided-missile submarine, and accelerating the movement of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group.

The positions of France and Britain represent a notable departure from possible US military engagement and signal a preference for de-escalation through diplomatic channels over military engagement.

This stance is consistent with the general European stance of restraint amid fears of the broader geopolitical and economic implications of an expanded conflict in the Middle East.

GAROWE ONLINE