France ambassador discusses Iran sanctions, NATO protection spending

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EXCLUSIVE: France’s ambassador to the United Nations mentioned Paris has strongly condemned Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests, because the French authorities weighs potential satellite tv for pc communications help to assist Iranians circumvent a near-total web blackout.

In an unique interview with Fox Information Digital, Jerome Bonnafont described what he mentioned was an escalation in repression by Iranian authorities and outlined France’s response, together with sanctions and diplomatic stress.

"Now we have condemned very, very strongly, on the highest stage, the repression towards the favored motion in Iran," Bonnafont mentioned. "This time it appears to me that the repression is much more violent than it was," he added.

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French Ambassador to the UN Jérôme Bonnafont (2L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (C) arrive for a United Nations Summit on Palestinians at U.N. headquarters through the United Nations Basic Meeting (UNGA) in New York on Sept. 22, 2025. ( Ludovic MARIN / AFP by way of Getty Pictures)

His remarks come as France’s overseas minister confirmed Paris is learning the potential switch of satellite tv for pc terminals operated by Eutelsat to Iran, following a sweeping internet shutdown imposed by Iranian authorities through the unrest, and because the G-7 issued a joint assertion condemning Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests.

The overseas ministers of France, the USA and different G-7 nations warned they have been ready to impose further restrictive measures if Iran continues to violate worldwide human rights obligations.

Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC by way of AP)

Earlier Tuesday, Israel’s overseas minister, Gideon Saar, urged France to help designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group on the EU stage throughout a name with French Overseas Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

Requested whether or not France would again such a transfer, Bonnafont didn't deal with the IRGC designation instantly, as an alternative emphasizing existing sanctions and worldwide stress.

"There are sanctions towards the police of the regime. And there are sanctions additionally towards a number of people, greater than 200 individuals in Iran for these causes," he mentioned.

"What we've got to do is to sentence and to handle the precise message to the individuals in Iran and to the regime, in order that the regime stops with this huge repression."

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NATO leaders pose on this shot taken in June. (Claudia Greco/Reuters)

NATO and Europe’s protection duty Bonnafont additionally addressed repeated calls from President Donald Trump for European allies to shoulder extra of NATO’s protection burden, arguing that Europe is already transferring in that path.

"There's a will by the Europeans to take the complete duty of the safety of its personal continent," he mentioned.

He careworn that the strategy displays a long-standing French place. "It's a very previous theme for the French governments that there must be inside NATO an autonomous, self-capable entity for European protection," Bonnafont mentioned, referring to France’s long-standing advocacy for European strategic autonomy, a place repeatedly emphasised by President Emmanuel Macron .

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France's President Emmanuel Macron maintain a gathering throughout a summit at Lancaster Home in central London, Britain March 2, 2025. (JUSTIN TALLIS/Pool by way of REUTERS)

Ukraine as a take a look at case Bonnafont pointed to Europe’s response to Russia’s battle in Ukraine as proof that European governments are ready to behave collectively when core safety pursuits are threatened.

"Ukraine has been attacked by Russia 4 years in the past. Now it has been invaded by Russia, and it has determined to withstand and to battle for its independence, its territorial integrity, its sovereignty," he mentioned.

He described European backing for Kyiv as each unified and intensive. "And Europeans are getting into help of Ukraine. And what we're doing by way of monetary help is very large. What we're doing by way of political help is unanimous," Bonnafont mentioned.

Based on the ambassador, France and the UK are working to prepare what he described as a "coalition of volunteers" to offer Ukraine with long-term safety ensures as soon as negotiations with Russia develop into potential.

"When Ukraine enters into dialogue with Russia, and when Russia accepts to enter into dialogue with Ukraine, and when the weather of a peace, sustainable peace, are placed on paper, Ukraine can have safety ensures," he mentioned.

Bonnafont additionally pointed to France’s home funds selections as proof that Europe is backing rhetoric with assets. "There's presently the negotiation of the subsequent funds for France for 2026," he mentioned. "It features a robust improve in our defense budget , and it's the solely funds that's going to be elevated in our entire funds this 12 months."

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Members of the UN Safety Council attend a gathering on threats to worldwide peace and safety on the United Nations Headquarters on June 13, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Pictures)

UN reform and funds cuts Past NATO and Europe’s protection posture, Bonnafont mentioned France is pushing for institutional reform on the United Nations, the place member states not too long ago authorized important funds reductions. "The establishment has to reform. It all the time has to reform," he mentioned.

"We determined by consensus with the American authorities and all of the others a funds which presents a discount of 20% of manpower and a discount of 15% of the funds allotted to the U.N.," Bonnafont added. "Give me one other instance of a public construction that's able to such an effort in such a short while," he mentioned.

Regardless of the cuts, he defended the U.N.’s relevance. "Sure, we're critical about reform. Sure, we wish it to be streamlined," Bonnafont mentioned. "However sure, we want the U.N. for the world."

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A Palestinian boy walks close to an UNRWA faculty sheltering displaced those that was hit in an an in a single day Israeli strike, in Gaza Metropolis, July 5, 2025. (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)

UNRWA dispute and U.S. funding cuts Requested concerning the U.S. determination to halt funding for a number of U.N. businesses, together with UNRWA, Bonnafont defended the businesses, saying, "Organizations are extra environment friendly when they're common," including that participation stays a sovereign determination for the USA.

Efrat Lachter is an investigative reporter and battle correspondent. Her work has taken her to 40 international locations, together with Ukraine, Russia, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan. She is a recipient of the 2024 Knight-Wallace Fellowship for Journalism. Lachter will be adopted on X @efratlachter.