Mariem Njeh
08 avril 2026•Mise à jour: 08 avril 2026
French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, firmly warned on Tuesday evening against the ultimatum issued by Donald Trump to Iran, rejecting any American strike targeting civilian infrastructure. During this same intervention on France Info, the head of diplomacy also detailed the conditions for the return to France, scheduled for Wednesday morning, of former French detainees recently released by Tehran.
Questioned about Donald Trump’s threats, Jean-Noël Barrot dismissed the American ultimatum by stating that “everything excessive is insignificant.” The minister called to not confuse the Iranian people with its regime, which he described as a “bloodthirsty theocracy” that recently shot down civilian protesters with assault rifles.
“I obviously hope that he [Donald Trump] does not carry out these threats, which would lead the region, but also the world, into a particularly dangerous new phase of escalation,” warned the French diplomat.
Illegality of strikes on civilian infrastructures
Responding to the specific threat of striking Iranian energy and civilian installations, Jean-Noël Barrot reiterated Paris’s strict opposition to such operations: “They are not legal under international law, and France systematically denounces and condemns them, whether they occur in Iran or in Russia.”
He nevertheless clarified that this reminder of the rules of war did not in any way constitute “complacency” towards Tehran, recalling that France had harshly sanctioned the regime the previous year.
Return of former detainees and Oman’s role
If France denounces the actions of the Iranian regime, it is pleased, however, with the release of its nationals. The minister confirmed that after crossing the border with Azerbaijan on Tuesday afternoon, the former detainees will return to France on Wednesday morning. They are expected to be received by the President.
Revealing that Tehran’s decision was confirmed on Easter Sunday evening after a year and a half of confidential negotiations, Barrot praised the role of the Omani authorities who “allowed, at the last minute, to convey a number of messages within the Iranian system.”
He also dismissed any rumors of diplomatic quid pro quo, especially regarding the assignment to France of Iranian national Mahdiyeh Espandiar: “In no case and in no way have we […] linked the fate of our hostages […] with the foreign policy choices of France.”
