France’s ambassador to Oman says Iran strikes were ‘outside international law’

Описание: In an interview on The David Hearst Podcast, France’s ambassador to Oman, Nabil Hajlaoui, said US and Israeli strikes on Iran were carried out “outside international law”, warning that the escalation risks triggering a wider regional war.

Hajlaoui was clear on France’s position on the legality of the attack:
“We cannot endorse it in any way… this military operation is out of international law.”

He added that there was no legal justification for the strikes, pointing to the absence of any UN mandate:

“We don’t see any justification… no call to the Security Council.”

The comments come as tensions rise across the Gulf, with fears growing over the security of the Strait of Hormuz - a critical global energy route - and the risk of a broader regional conflict.

Hajlaoui also revealed that the strikes came at a moment when diplomacy was still active. Talks mediated by Oman between Iran and the United States had shown signs of progress:

Negotiations had shown that “several elements were moving” before the escalation.

This raises questions about whether a potential diplomatic breakthrough was cut short by military action.

While acknowledging the complexity of Iran’s nuclear programme and its regional role, Hajlaoui stressed that escalation undermines diplomatic efforts and increases instability.

He warned that the conflict could expand across the Gulf, with serious consequences:

Disruption to global energy markets
Escalation around the Strait of Hormuz
Increased risk of regional war

On humanitarian concerns, Hajlaoui issued a clear warning about attacks on civilian infrastructure:

“It is totally forbidden to target civilian facilities.”

He emphasised that such actions violate international law, particularly in a region heavily dependent on desalination for drinking water.

Despite the escalation, Hajlaoui said diplomacy remains possible. Backchannel discussions are ongoing, and international actors are still working to prevent further escalation.

He also suggested that the lack of clearly defined objectives in the war could create an opening for de-escalation, particularly if the United States chooses to step back.

However, he warned that any shift towards ground operations would mark a major escalation and significantly increase the risk of a wider and more destructive conflict.

Watch the full interview on The David Hearst Podcast.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
01:43 – Were the Iran strikes justified?
02:30 – France: strikes “outside international law”
05:08 – Progress in Oman-mediated nuclear talks
08.18 – Why Iran is angry after the strikes
10:10 – Was this “not America’s war”?
12:00 – Atmosphere in Oman after escalation
13:45 – Why Europe is not taking stronger action
17:30 – Risks to the Strait of Hormuz
18:35 – Could France be drawn into the war?
24:22 – Targeting civilian infrastructure
27:55 – Gulf reaction and regional tensions
32:10 – Regime change and war objectives
34:45 – Risks of regional fragmentation
42:55 – Can diplomacy with Iran be revived?
45:10 – Is the war at risk of spiralling?
50:00 – What happens if US troops intervene?
51:58 – How the war could end
54:18 – Can negotiations reopen?


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