According to a report by Fox News on Monday October 19, 2026, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of applying double standards in his response to protests in France, drawing comparisons with Paris’s earlier criticism of unrest in Iran.

In a post on X on Sunday, Baghaei recalled Macron’s previous comments on demonstrations in Iran, arguing that the French leader had defended the right to peaceful assembly when Iranian security facilities and public institutions were being attacked. He contrasted that position with Macron’s more recent warning that attacks on state institutions in France would not be tolerated and that those responsible would face punishment.

Baghaei also revisited a message Macron reportedly sent to US President Donald Trump before the military campaign against Iran, in which the French leader expressed confidence that the two countries could achieve significant results on Iran.

The Iranian official argued that the subsequent developments showed that Macron’s idea of cooperation had instead involved aligning with military action against Tehran, which he blamed for escalating instability across the region and beyond.

He warned that France’s approach could eventually have consequences for its own leadership, indicating that political manoeuvres intended to achieve particular objectives could ultimately work against those who pursue them.

To reinforce his criticism, Baghaei invoked French writer Jean de La Fontaine’s warning that an elaborate scheme can turn against its creator and that betrayal may ultimately return to the person responsible.

His post included footage of protests in France alongside an image of Macron’s message to Trump, using both to support his accusation that the French president had adopted inconsistent positions on demonstrations and military intervention.

Related video