this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2026
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cross-posted from: https://piefed.social/c/europe/p/1841865/french-president-expresses-european-solidarity-with-spain-after-us-threats-over-madrids

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday voiced solidarity with Spain following recent threats by US President Donald Trump over Madrid's stance on Iran. > > Macron has just spoken with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez “to express France’s European solidarity in response to the recent threats of economic coercion that Spain was targeted with yesterday," the French Presidency told broadcaster BFMTV. > > European Council President Antonio Costa also expressed the EU's solidarity with Madrid and noted that the bloc "will always ensure that the interests of its Member States are fully protected."

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[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 28 points 2 days ago (3 children)

The carrier is there strictly in a defensive posture. no? I'm not aware of France being involved in any attacks on Iran.

[–] HenriVolney@sh.itjust.works 18 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Macron explicitly said that France was involved because of defense treaties with petromonarchies. That means that French weapons and soldiers will be involved in disabling Iranian war capability, i.e. bombing them.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Are you suggesting they simply ignore the defence treaties they signed with allies? Who do you think they are, Russia?

[–] HenriVolney@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What business do the French have in the Middle Esast that their head of state signs defense treaties with petromonarchies? What's in there for French people? What's in there for French values?

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 days ago

I think mostly selling Rafales, but I'm not French so I can't speak to their motivations when choosing who to vote for.

[–] i078@europe.pub 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Bombing them and taking out offensive weapons is not the same thing. 

[–] ArgumentativeMonotheist@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It is, when Iran is using these weapons to push American allies in the region to try and convince the Burgers to stop murdering them, and to take out military installations that help the Burgers kill.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

If so, that's an idiotic strategy. It would be like Palestinians suicide-bombing EU countries to make them stop Israel's war.

[–] ArgumentativeMonotheist@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Not really, closer to suicide-bombing Gulf countries. Neither the EU or America have any skin in the game (for them it's just another far away military fun and profitable venture), they're not neighbours of Iran, whilst the Gulf countries are.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 days ago

OK then, but that's still idiotic.

There is no such thing as a "defensive" aircraft carrier. Also they said they will strike Iranian targets to disable their missile capabilities.

[–] JayTreeman@fedia.io 6 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Iran has been hitting military targets and other infrastructure that's supporting military targets. What exactly would they be defending? France is out of range.

[–] Tja@programming.dev 1 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Are embassies military targets or other infrastructure supporting military targets? How about gas terminals?

Are hospitals supporting military targets because they heal soldiers? Are schools military targets because kids can become soldiers?

[–] JayTreeman@fedia.io 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Embassies, yes. Check out what the US embassy was doing in Tehran during the 70s. Gas terminals, yes. But also Iran has been claiming the strike in SA wasn't them. Hospitals, no. I haven't seen anything about Iran striking hospitals. US and Israel regularly strike hospitals. Schools, no. Once again, Iran isn't, but you can't say the same about the agressors

[–] Tja@programming.dev -3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

So anything that Iran hits is automatically a valid target... How come it doesn't work the other way?

[–] JayTreeman@fedia.io 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Are hospitals and school girls valid targets? One side is acting defensively. If you've been following this conflict for a while, you'd know that Iran has done as much as possible to avoid this conflict. Their back is against the wall and they're swinging.

[–] Tja@programming.dev 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Absolutely not valid targets, bordering on war crimes.

Which in no way justifies attacking civilians on the other side. Hotels, airports, embassies...

[–] JayTreeman@fedia.io 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Embassies often hold intelligence offices. They're absolutely a valid target. Airports are infrastructure that supports military operations. (Flying in food and other supplies) Hotels that have been hit were where military personnel were staying. (When other countries do this it's called 'using human shields')

[–] Tja@programming.dev 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Bullshit excuse. You can use the same reasoning to excuse Israel actuons: hospitals support military operations, schools educate future soldiers, weddings are attended by potential soldiers.

[–] JayTreeman@fedia.io 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Ben Gurion airport LITERALLY has an Airforce Base attached to it. The US LITERALLY evacuated their bases and had personnel staying in local hotels. Arguing against this is like saying the Iranian frigate in Indonesia wasn't a valid target because it wasn't in the theater of war

[–] Tja@programming.dev 1 points 2 days ago

What about Dubai Airport?

[–] frongt@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago

Gas terminals can be. The others, no.

Embassies are often safehouses for intelligence and espionage, but that doesn't justify bombing them.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca -1 points 2 days ago

What exactly would they be defending? France is out of range.

I see the geopolitics understanders have logged on...