EDITORIAL. US strikes in Iran: How can France's voice be heard amidst the din of bombs?

Since the escalation of the conflict in Iran this weekend, with the American strikes on the night of Saturday to Sunday, Emmanuel Macron has continued to "advocate a return to the diplomatic route" and implore the belligerents to "resume discussions."

Throughout the weekend of September 21-22, before and after the US strikes on Iran's three major nuclear sites , Emmanuel Macron called his European counterparts, key Middle Eastern leaders, and even the Iranian president. He urged them to avoid any further "escalation."

Following the direct involvement of the United States alongside its Israeli ally on the night of Saturday, June 21st to Sunday, June 22nd, France continues to call for dialogue. The head of state reiterated Sunday evening, during the defense council meeting convened at the Élysée Palace, that this was, in his view, the only effective way to dismantle the Iranian nuclear threat while avoiding a total conflagration in the region.

But for now, it's had no effect. Since the American bombings, Tehran has been talking only about " eternal consequences " and reprisals, and Israel intends to press its advantage by continuing its strikes.

Emmanuel Macron has few illusions in the very short term. How can he hope to be heard amidst the din of bombs? What's the point of calling for "restraint" when Donald Trump acts as he pleases, without bothering to refer to any international authority? In this context, the head of state may give the impression of speaking into a void, and even of displaying a form of impotence. Regardless, he deems it essential to maintain a channel of dialogue, however minimal, however symbolic, to maintain contact with Tehran. To set a date, prepare for the future, and influence the post-war period.

On a broader scale, Europeans appear united on this position, but it is a facade of unity. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom reiterated on Sunday that they want to initiate discussions between all parties, including Iran, to eliminate the nuclear risk. Donald Trump specifically attacked the situation the day after an initial meeting held Friday in Geneva between European and Iranian ministers.

The American president is all the more willing to display his supreme contempt for a Europe which, according to him, will be of no use in resolving this conflict. He knows that some EU countries are quite happy to see him "do the dirty work" , according to the admission made a few days ago by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

France itself has not officially condemned the US strikes. Of course, Emmanuel Macron still dreams of reviving a negotiating logic of the same type as that which led to the 2015 Vienna Agreement , torn up three years later by Donald Trump. With the return of the same Donald Trump to the White House, it seems that we have entered a new world, where multilateralism and international law have given way to the law of the strongest.