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President Emmanuel Macron met on Sunday with his counterpart Donald Trump about tensions in the Middle East and Paris displays its "solidarity" with Washington. This weekend the American secretary of state Mike Pompeo had reproached the European partners for their lack of support and indeed we feel that France is very embarrassed.
Paris displays embarrassed support. Taking the decision to eliminate Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, Donald Trump made a risky decision. The course of events does not bode well.
The White House tenant doesn't listen to anyone. Since his election he has exacerbated tensions with Iran. In May 2018, he announced the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement and the re-establishment of economic sanctions against Iran. Americans today are turning to their traditional allies. They expect unwavering support from their European partners, from France.
► Read also : Iran announces that it no longer limits its nuclear program
Between Paris and Washington the links are strong, but we can clearly see that the Elysée is in a delicate position, torn by the need to support the historic American ally and annoyed by a Donald Trump who plays the sorcerer's apprentice, with consequences that promise to be chaotic. Recall that the French President had taken the initiative to invite the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif who had been received by Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Yves Le Drian at the last G7 summit in Biarritz in August 2019.
Last November, however, the tone had changed. While pleading for a reduction in sanctions, Emmanuel Macron described the new Iranian provisions on the agreement as " profound change ". Iran had announced that it had resumed its uranium enrichment activity. In addition, two researchers, Roland Marchal and the Franco-Iranian Fariba Adelkhah are currently detained in Iran.
" When a leader calls for restraint, it is because he has nothing to say "
Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday his " full solidarity " to Donald Trump . And calls for de-escalation. But as geopolitics expert Bertrand Badie reminded by RFI recalls, “ in diplomatic language, when a leader calls for restraint, it is because he has nothing to say . "According to this expert in international relations" it also shows an incredible effacement of French and European diplomacy ".
► Read also: After the assassination of Soleimani, London and Paris line up behind Washington
During a telephone interview with President Donald Trump, President @EmmanuelMacron expressed France's determination to work alongside its regional and international partners to ease tensions.https: //t.co/Qp3D0ujB0h
Élysée (@Elysee) January 5, 2020