France Condemns Iran’s Protest Crackdown, Considers Satellite Internet Aid Amid Blackout

France Condemns Iran’s Crackdown on Protesters, Considers Satellite Support

France has strongly condemned Iran’s violent suppression of nationwide protests and is exploring options to provide satellite communications assistance to help Iranians bypass internet restrictions imposed by authorities, according to France’s ambassador to the United Nations.

In an exclusive interview, Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont described what he characterized as an escalation in repression by Iranian authorities, emphasizing that France has taken a firm stance against the crackdown.

“We have condemned very, very strongly, at the highest level, the repression against the popular movement in Iran,” Bonnafont stated. “This time it seems to me that the repression is even more violent than it used to be.”

The ambassador’s remarks come as France’s foreign minister confirmed that Paris is investigating the potential transfer of satellite terminals operated by Eutelsat to Iran. The move would help counter the sweeping internet shutdown implemented by Iranian authorities during the ongoing unrest.

The G7 nations, including France and the United States, have issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s crackdown, warning of possible additional restrictive measures if Tehran continues to violate international human rights obligations.

When asked about Israel’s request for France to support designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization at the European Union level, Bonnafont did not directly address the IRGC designation. Instead, he highlighted existing sanctions already in place.

“There are sanctions against the police of the regime. And there are sanctions also against several individuals, more than 200 people in Iran for these reasons,” he explained. “What we have to do is to condemn and to address the right message to the people in Iran and to the regime, so that the regime stops with this massive repression.”

The ambassador also addressed European defense responsibilities within NATO, responding to repeated calls from President Donald Trump for European allies to increase their defense contributions. Bonnafont argued that Europe is already moving in this direction.

“There is a will by the Europeans to take the full responsibility of the protection of its own continent,” he said, noting that this approach aligns with France’s long-standing advocacy for European strategic autonomy, a position consistently emphasized by President Emmanuel Macron.

Bonnafont pointed to Europe’s unified response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as evidence that European governments are prepared to act collectively when faced with threats to core security interests.

“Ukraine has been attacked by Russia four years ago. Now it has been invaded by Russia, and it has decided to resist and to fight for its independence, its territorial integrity, its sovereignty,” he said. “Europeans are going in support of Ukraine. And what we are doing in terms of financial support is massive. What we are doing in terms of political support is unanimous.”

According to the ambassador, France and the United Kingdom are organizing a “coalition of volunteers” to provide Ukraine with long-term security guarantees once negotiations with Russia become feasible.

“When Ukraine enters into discussion with Russia, and when Russia accepts to enter into discussion with Ukraine, and when the elements of a sustainable peace are put on paper, Ukraine can have security guarantees,” he explained.

France is backing its commitments with resources, Bonnafont emphasized, pointing to the country’s 2026 budget, which includes a significant increase in defense spending. “It is the only budget that is going to be increased in our whole budget this year,” he noted.

Regarding United Nations reform, Bonnafont said France is advocating for institutional changes at the organization, where member states recently approved significant budget reductions. “The institution has to reform. It always has to reform,” he said.

“We decided by consensus with the American government and all the others a budget which presents a reduction of 20% of manpower and a reduction of 15% of the funds allocated to the U.N.,” Bonnafont added. “Give me another example of a public structure that is capable of such an effort in such a short time.”

Despite the cuts, the ambassador defended the UN’s continued relevance in global affairs. “Yes, we are serious about reform. Yes, we want it to be streamlined,” Bonnafont emphasized. “But yes, we need the U.N. for the world.”

When questioned about the U.S. decision to halt funding for several UN agencies, including UNRWA, Bonnafont maintained that “organizations are more efficient when they are universal,” while acknowledging that participation remains a sovereign decision for the United States.