President Emmanuel Macron has said France had not been consulted and wasn’t taking part in the war against Iran, after US President Donald Trump criticised the country’s overflight ban on planes carrying military supplies for the conflict.

“It is absolutely true that France, which has not been consulted and is not part of this military offensive launched by the US and Israel, is not taking part in it,” Macron said in an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK during his visit to Tokyo, adding that it had been France’s stance since “day one” of the war.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference with Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. — AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference with Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. — AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Reflection time
Updated 25 Jun, 2026

Reflection time

Israel is the biggest source of instability in the Middle East, and it is high time the US ended its blind support to Tel Aviv, if it genuinely wants peace in the region.
Raised temperatures
25 Jun, 2026

Raised temperatures

THE fraught situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir requires immense patience and cool heads. Temperatures are raised on...
Debatable remedy
25 Jun, 2026

Debatable remedy

THE Pakistan Psychiatric Society’s challenge to the Federal Shariat Court’s ruling on attempted suicide deserves...
Pezeshkian’s visit
Updated 24 Jun, 2026

Pezeshkian’s visit

Perhaps a good place to start would be the resumption of work on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.
Telecom bill
24 Jun, 2026

Telecom bill

THERE is now no question about it: the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill of 2026 is a...
Updating Islamabad
24 Jun, 2026

Updating Islamabad

ISLAMABAD is growing rapidly. Its planning, however, remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Despite years of ...