Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has issued a warning to French President Emmanuel Macron as violent protests continue across France. The unrest has included clashes with police, arson, looting and damage to shops, police vehicles and government buildings in several cities.
The demonstrations began amid anger over inflation and poor public services. On Saturday, more than 5 lakh people took to the streets in cities across the country. Most were reported to have protested peacefully, although some locations saw attacks on property and confrontations with police.
Araghchi's warning to Macron
Araghchi delivered his message in a . He urged Macron to listen to what he described as the voice of France's future.
The Iranian minister said Macron had brought trouble upon himself by assuring the American president that he welcomed atrocities against Iranians. Araghchi also argued that blaming others for the war was too late because people like Macron had helped provoke it.
He said the French public wanted comprehensive change, including freedom for people to gather. His message directly linked the unrest in France to Macron's position on Iran and the wider conflict referred to in .
Macron appeals for calm
Macron addressed the nation on television on Sunday as the protests continued. He appealed to people to maintain peace and said that nothing could justify the violence or serve as an excuse for it.
The French president also questioned how citizens could carry out such actions against their own country. At the same time, he said the demands of peaceful demonstrators should not be treated as equivalent to the actions of those involved in violence.
Macron did not announce a state of emergency. However, he said local authorities could be given the power to prohibit some demonstrations if that became necessary.
Arrests and public demonstrations
About 2400 people have been arrested during the protests, according to the supplied report. The figure comes as France faces pressure from both the scale of public mobilisation and incidents involving property damage and clashes with police.
The unrest has therefore produced two distinct developments. Large numbers of people have joined demonstrations, with most described as peaceful, while violence in some areas has led to arrests and calls for order.
Araghchi's intervention adds an international dimension to the crisis. His warning targeted Macron's position and urged the French president to respond to the public demand for change. Macron, meanwhile, has sought to separate peaceful protest from violent acts while leaving local authorities with possible powers to restrict demonstrations.
Conclusion
France is facing large-scale demonstrations alongside violence in some cities, while Macron has appealed for calm and Araghchi has criticised his position on Iran. The next verified response described in the material is the possible use of local powers to restrict some protests if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is happening in France?
France is facing protests linked to inflation and poor public services. Some demonstrations have involved arson, looting, property damage and clashes with police.
Q. Who warned Emmanuel Macron?
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned Macron in a .
Q. What did Araghchi ask Macron to do?
He urged Macron to listen to what he called the voice of France's future and referred to the public demand for change and freedom of assembly.
Q. What did Macron say?
Macron appealed for peace and said violence could not be justified. He also said peaceful protesters should not be equated with people involved in violence.
Q. Did France declare a state of emergency?
No. Macron did not announce a state of emergency, but said local authorities could receive powers to prohibit some demonstrations if necessary.
Q. How many people were arrested?
About 2400 people were arrested during the protests, according to the supplied report.
Q. How many people demonstrated on Saturday?
More than 5 lakh people demonstrated across several French cities on Saturday. Most were described as peaceful protesters.
