France rejects military intervention in Iran and supports popular protests

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerning the thorny Iranian issue, Paris has clearly and explicitly defined its position on the options available for dealing with Tehran. Alice Ruffaut, the French Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces and Director of International and Strategic Relations, confirmed that military intervention in Iran is not on the table for France, nor is it her country's preferred option. This statement was a direct response to previous hints and threats made by former US President Donald Trump.

The French position: Supporting the people without starting a war

During her appearance on the joint RTL radio, LCI television, and Le Figaro program "Le Grand Jury," Rufeaux outlined France's balanced perspective. On the one hand, she emphasized the need to support the Iranian people "in every possible way," including highlighting their suffering through media and political channels. On the other hand, she rejected calls for military escalation that could plunge the region into chaos. Rufeaux stated, "It is up to the Iranian people to get rid of this regime, and we clearly stand with them now, but military intervention is not our preferred option.".

Context of events: From the bazaar to politics

These statements come against the backdrop of a massive wave of protests that swept through Iranian cities, sparked in the bazaars with demands for improved living conditions in late December, before quickly evolving into a political movement calling for regime change. This movement is considered one of the most serious challenges the Islamic Republic has faced since its founding in 1979. The French official noted that the protest movement has grown significantly, reflecting the people's rejection of the regime, adding that "the destiny of the Iranian people belongs to the Iranian people themselves, and it is not our right to choose their leaders," thus emphasizing respect for sovereignty and rejecting the policy of regime change through external force.

Media blackout and shocking casualty figures

Rufu addressed the difficulty of documenting violations due to the "continuous internet blackout" imposed by Iranian authorities for over two weeks, a strategy aimed at isolating the country from the outside world. In this context, reports on the number of victims have been conflicting, with human rights reports revealing horrific figures

• The official narrative: Iranian authorities announced a death toll of 3,117, claiming that the majority were security forces, and describing the protesters as "rioters".
• HRANA News Agency: The Human Rights Activists News Agency confirmed the killing of 5,002 people, including 4,714 protesters, with investigations underway into thousands of other cases.
• Human Rights in Iran, based in Norway, documented the killing of 3,428 protesters, expressing concerns that the true number could reach 25,000 dead.

The geopolitical dimensions of the French position

The French position reflects a broader European commitment to preserving remaining diplomatic channels and attempting to avoid the chaotic scenarios witnessed in neighboring countries like Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of direct military interventions. Furthermore, Trump's backing down from his threats to strike Iran, following reports that Tehran had halted some executions, suggests that unified international pressure may be effective without resorting to the devastating military option.