Macron calls for ending raids on civilian infrastructure in Mideast

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for an immediate end to military strikes on civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water supply facilities, in the current Iran war.

In a message posted on social media, Macron said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, following strikes that had hit gas production facilities in Iran and Qatar, noting that it was in the common interest to implement without delay a moratorium on such strikes.

He stressed that civilian populations and their essential needs, as well as the security of energy supplies, must be protected from military escalation.

Qatar's interior ministry and state-owned QatarEnergy said on Wednesday that Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by missile attacks, suffering extensive fires and damage.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli air force struck Iran's major natural gas facility, located in Bushehr in the south of the country. Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that the strike was carried out in coordination with the US administration.

Following the strike, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an evacuation warning for several oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.