EXCLUSIVE: France’s ambassador to the United Nations said Paris has strongly condemned Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests, as the French government weighs possible satellite communications support to help Iranians avoid a near-total internet blackout.
“We have very, very strongly condemned the repression against the popular movement in Iran at the highest level,” Bonnafont said. “This time it seems to me that the repression is even more violent than before,” he added.
Iranian DISSIDENT RELEASES AMERICAN LEFT SILENCE ON DEADLY PROTESTS
French Ambassador to the UN Jérôme Bonnafont (2L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (C) arrive for a UN summit on Palestinians at UN Headquarters during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 22, 2025. (Ludovic MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)
His comments come as France’s foreign minister confirmed that Paris is studying the possible transfer of satellite terminals operated by Eutelsat to Iran, following a sweeping internet shutdown imposed by Iranian authorities during the unrest, and as the G-7 issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests.
The foreign ministers of France, the United States and other G-7 countries warned that they were prepared to impose additional restrictive measures if Iran continues to violate international human rights obligations.
Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
Earlier Tuesday, during a call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged France to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization at EU level.
When asked whether France would support such a move, Bonnafont did not directly address the IRGC designation, but emphasized existing sanctions and international pressure.
“There are sanctions against the regime’s police. And for these reasons, there are also sanctions against several individuals, more than 200 people in Iran,” he said.
“What we need to do is condemn it and send the right message to the people of Iran and to the regime, so that the regime stops this massive repression.”
IRAN’S KHAMENEI ISSUES DIRECT WARNING TO UNITED STATES IN RUSSIAN-LANGUAGE POSTS
NATO leaders pose in this photo taken in June. (Claudia Greco/Reuters)
NATO and Europe’s defense responsibility
Bonnafont also addressed President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for European allies to shoulder more of NATO’s defense burden, arguing that Europe is already moving in that direction.
“There is a will among Europeans to take full responsibility for protecting their own continent,” he said.
He emphasized that the approach reflects a long-standing French position. “It is a very old theme for French governments that within NATO there should be an autonomous, self-reliant entity for European defense,” Bonnafont said, referring to France’s long-standing advocacy for European strategic autonomy, a position repeatedly emphasized by President Emmanuel Macron.
TRUMP ISSUES STRENGTH WARNING TO NATO ABOUT VANCE’S HIGH-Stakes GREENLAND MEETING
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a meeting during a summit at Lancaster House in central London, Great Britain, March 2, 2025. (JUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERS)
Ukraine as a test case
Bonnafont pointed to the European response to Russia’s war in Ukraine as evidence that European governments are willing to act collectively when fundamental security interests are threatened.
“Ukraine was attacked by Russia four years ago. Now the country has been invaded by Russia, and it has decided to resist and fight for its independence, its territorial integrity and its sovereignty,” he said.
He described European support for Kiev as both united and comprehensive. “And Europeans support Ukraine. And what we do in terms of financial support is enormous. What we do in terms of political support is unanimous,” Bonnafont said.
According to the ambassador, France and Britain are working to organize what he described as a “coalition of volunteers” to provide Ukraine with long-term security guarantees once negotiations with Russia become possible.
“If Ukraine enters into talks with Russia, and if Russia accepts to enter into talks with Ukraine, and if the elements of a peace, a lasting peace, are put on paper, Ukraine can get security guarantees,” he said.
Bonnafont also pointed to France’s domestic budget decisions as evidence that Europe is backing the rhetoric with resources. “The next budget for France for 2026 is currently being negotiated,” he said. “It includes a major increase in our defense budget, and it is the only increase in our entire budget this year.”
TRUMP ADMIN LEAVES UN, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Raises Questions Who’s Next
Members of the UN Security Council attend a meeting on threats to international peace and security at United Nations Headquarters on June 13, 2025 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
UN reforms and austerity
In addition to NATO and Europe’s defense posture, Bonnafont said France is pushing for institutional reforms at the United Nations, where member states recently approved significant budget cuts. “The institution must reform. It must always reform,” he said.
“We have decided, in consensus with the US government and all others, on a budget that will result in a 20% reduction in manpower and a 15% reduction in resources allocated to the UN,” Bonnafont added. “Give me another example of a public structure that is capable of such an effort in such a short time,” he said.
Despite the cuts, he defended the relevance of the UN. “Yes, we are serious about reforms. Yes, we want them to be streamlined,” Bonnafont said. “But yes, we need the UN for the world.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
A Palestinian boy walks near an UNRWA school hosting displaced persons hit during an overnight Israeli attack in Gaza City, July 5, 2025. (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)
UNRWA dispute and US budget cuts
Asked about the US decision to cut funding to several UN agencies, including UNRWA, Bonnafont defended the agencies, saying: “Organizations are more efficient when they are universal,” adding that participation remains a sovereign decision for the United States.
