On June 24, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, calling them a violation of international law. Speaking at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo, Macron said:

"These strikes have no legal basis, even if France supports the desire to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb."

He stressed that neutralizing Iran's nuclear program is a legitimate goal, but it can only be achieved through diplomatic and technical means, citing the principles of international law, which permit the use of force only under a UN Security Council mandate or in self-defense.

The June 22 U.S. strikes, called Operation Midnight Hammer, hit nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. According to CNN, the attack involved B-2 bombers that dropped 14 GBU-57 bunker buster bombs and submarines that fired more than 30 Tomahawk missiles. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies showed extensive damage at Fordow, including craters big enough to house a multi-story building, though the U.S. avoided hitting research reactors at Isfahan to prevent a radiation disaster, Bloomberg reported. Iran said it had evacuated key uranium stockpiles, minimizing the damage.

Iran responded on June 23 with Operation Basharat al-Fatah, launching 14 missiles at the U.S. al-Udeid air base in Qatar and one at a base in Iraq. U.S. President Donald Trump called the attack “weak,” thanking Tehran for providing advance notice that prevented casualties. Qatar confirmed the interception of 13 missiles and the partial evacuation of the base. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran was moving missile launchers for possible further strikes.

Macron's statement has caused a stir, with users on the X platform noting that his stance highlights the divisions between the US and its European allies.