Macron Warns Iran War Could Drag On For Longer, Says Leadership Can't Be Changed Through Airstrikes

Last Updated:March 09, 2026, 23:16 IST

The war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, "in this intense phase," could last "several days, perhaps several weeks," he said.

France’s Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that “profound" changes to Iranian leadership could not occur “through American-Israeli bombings alone," adding that war in the West Asia could continue for “several weeks."

“I don’t think you can achieve profound regime change or changes in the political system through bombings alone," Macron said aboard France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier currently stationed in the Mediterranean.

The war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, “in this intense phase," could last “several days, perhaps several weeks," he said.

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Macron, earlier also said that France and its allies were planning a “defensive" mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warned that an attack on Cyprus is an attack on Europe.

His statement came as he visited Cyprus to discuss regional security and demonstrate “full solidarity" with the island, which sustained the first drone attack of the US-Israel-Iran war on European territory.

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The visit follows his deployment of a warship to the eastern Mediterranean island nation, after a Shahed drone hit a British air base on its southern coast last week.

He said, “When Cyprus is attacked, it is Europe that is attacked. We are bound to one another by strategic partnerships."

During the visit, the French president said the mission would focus on escorting container ships and tankers to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz after the most intense phase of the conflict. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) closed the strait days after U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted key military and naval forces, killing several senior commanders and former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Commenting on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in Paphos, Macron said it is vital not only for international trade but also for the free flow of gas and oil from the West Asia.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched “Operation Epic Fury" and “Operation Roaring Lion," respectively, against Iran after diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran over Tehran’s nuclear program stalled; Tehran then retaliated by striking Israel and U.S. military bases across the West Asia.

The conflict, now in its tenth day, has escalated sharply, with oil prices surging to record highs after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and targeted several oil facilities across the Middle East; loud explosions have been reported in cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Manama, Riyadh and Doha as Gulf countries intercepted drones and missiles.

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