Macron Blames U.S. Iran Conflict for French Unrest

French President Emmanuel Macron partly attributed the ongoing riots and looting in France to the U.S. war against the terrorist regime in Iran. His televised speech included references to the Iran war, drawing criticism from experts.

Macron stated, “Demonstrators expressed concern about the cost of living and the price of fuel. Both are driven by the conflict launched in the Persian Gulf, a conflict in which France has taken no part, but whose consequences we are suffering.” He emphasized understanding their concerns, which are also shared by several other European capitals. Macron has undertaken initiatives internationally to secure France’s energy resources.

He announced plans to visit the Gulf to discuss energy issues. Protests have united students, climate activists, former “Yellow Vests,” and farmers, with an estimated 200,000 participants across France, 40,000 of whom gathered in Paris on October 17, 2026.

It remains unclear which protestors Macron referred to regarding fuel price concerns. Fox News reported on the riots, noting many groups aim to abolish the free enterprise system.

Macron emphasized that those attempting “to bring down the republic will be held accountable.”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on Monday, warning Macron about France’s open borders in their first meeting. Trump’s remarks suggested that current unrest could have been avoided with stricter immigration policies.

A French foreign ministry spokesperson directed additional questions to the Elysée press office, which did not respond before publication.

Iran expert Lisa Daftari argued that Macron’s focus on the Iran war overlooks that Iran’s regime holding the world’s energy supply hostage due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has raised fuel prices. Daftari questioned whether the demonstrations are about fuel prices at all, given the scale of organized unrest.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused ultra-left groups of orchestrating disorder ahead of the presidential election. Barak Seener from the Henry Jackson Society linked illegal immigration from various regions to undermining Western civilization.

Seener commented, “Calls to ‘globalize the intifada’ are codes to subvert Western civilization and impose Sharia law. Macron is ignoring this.”

Vice President JD Vance criticized France’s immigration policy on social media, blaming it for current unrest. He highlighted issues of assimilation as a major oversight by Western liberals. Seener further criticized the political correctness of the French establishment and its support for a Palestinian state.

Macron has reportedly addressed a range of groups about the impact of the U.S.-led conflict with Iran, which he links to rising oil prices. He reframes the situation to suit political objectives, ignoring the Red-Green alliance blamed for inciting unrest. This alliance includes 38 radical Left and Muslim organizations, along with 16 student groups.

Reporter Benjamin Weinthal covers regions including Israel, Iran, Syria, Turkey, and Europe. Follow him on Twitter @BenWeinthal or email at [email protected].