France has called on all parties involved to exercise restraint following the US attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, in order to avoid an escalation and expansion of the conflict.

France is convinced that a lasting solution to the nuclear dispute can only be achieved through a negotiated solution within the framework of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Sunday.

Paris remains ready to contribute to this together with its partners, he said.

Barrot said that France was neither involved in the US attacks nor in their preparation. He stated that they had learned with concern about the attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites overnight.

France has repeatedly expressed its very firm opposition to Iran gaining access to nuclear weapons.