PARIS, April 7 (dpa) – The attacks on Iran’s civil infrastructure threatened by US President Donald Trump would constitute a violation of international law and lead to escalation and retaliation, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned on Tuesday.
Barrot was speaking to broadcaster France Info hours before a deadline set by Trump for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face a massive bombardment expires.
“If we all speak out against attacks on civil and energy infrastructure, then we do so primarily because they are ruled out according to the rules of war and international law, and secondly because in the case of the war in Iran they will undoubtedly lead to a new phase of escalation and retaliatory measures,” Barrot said.
This would plunge the region and the global economy into a vicious circle, he predicted.
“We are currently experiencing a rapid rise in fuel prices. If the energy infrastructure in Iran is attacked, retaliatory measures by the Iranian regime can be counted on that would further exacerbate the already worrying situation,” Barrot added.
France and other European powers have largely stayed out of the conflict, which was launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.
Trump on Monday threatened the “complete demolition” of Iran’s civilian infrastructure, setting a deadline of 8 pm on Tuesday (0000 GMT Wednesday) for the Iranian leadership to make a deal.
Ahead of the deadline, Iranian media reported nationwide attacks on the country’s transport network on Tuesday, with railway bridges and motorways hit.
–NNN-dpa