French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday underlined his differences with U.S. President Donald Trump over Iran, appearing to oppose tougher military action against Tehran that could lead to regime change and plunge Iran and the region into chaos.
Macron on Monday had suggested to reporters that Trump was leaving the G7 as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
He was firmly rebuffed Tuesday morning when Trump on X said Macron was mistaken and said his departure had nothing to do with securing a ceasefire.
Since Tuesday morning, Trump has upped the bellicose rhetoric demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender" and warning that U.S. patience was wearing thin as the Israel-Iran air war raged for a fifth day.
Israel has said it launched its operation to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, something Tehran has repeatedly denied.