France Warns Risk of Renewed US-Iran Military Escalation Remains
Speaking after chairing a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Paris, Barrot said the possibility of renewed US strikes against Iran remained a concern and had been a major subject of discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the past two days.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned on Tuesday that the risk of renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran had not been completely ruled out, despite Washington indicating that there was currently no immediate need to resume major combat operations.
Speaking after chairing a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Paris, Barrot said the possibility of renewed US strikes against Iran remained a concern and had been a major subject of discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the past two days.
"The risk of a resumption of strikes and an escalation has not been completely ruled out," Barrot said, explaining that France and its allies had devoted considerable time and diplomatic effort to addressing the issue with their American counterpart.
During the G7 discussions, Rubio reportedly told foreign ministers that Washington did not currently see the need to resume major combat operations, arguing that its economic blockade and sanctions campaign were putting significant pressure on Iran.
The diplomatic discussions come amid continuing tensions following the US-Iran military conflict that began on February 28, after US strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
US President Donald Trump has recently signaled a preference for pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Tehran, describing the possibility of further military strikes as highly unlikely, provided a strong agreement can be reached.
European officials, however, remain concerned about the prolonged standoff and the possibility that hostilities could resume. The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and energy shipments, has also raised concerns about the wider economic consequences of the conflict.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has warned that the current situation, described as neither war nor peace, is placing significant pressure on the global economy.