France’s Emmanuel Macron says “profound” changes to Iranian leadership cannot occur “through American-Israeli bombings alone”, adding that the war in the Middle East could continue for “several weeks”, AFP reports.

“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.