France has clarified that military intervention in Iran is not a priority, despite the heavy loss of life during the suppression of recent protests. French Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo made these remarks on Sunday, according to the French news agency AFP.

Appearing on the French political program ‘Le Grand Jury’ on Sunday, Alice Rufo stated, "I believe we should support the Iranian people in every way possible."

However, she explicitly added that military intervention is not France's preferred option. "It is up to the Iranian people to decide how to free themselves from this regime," she noted.

Minister Rufo also highlighted the difficulty of documenting "mass crimes" committed during the crackdown due to widespread internet shutdowns.

Since January 8, more than 90 million people in Iran have been virtually cut off from communication.

Disputed Death Tolls and Human Rights Concerns
International human rights organizations claim that security forces have conducted violent operations under the cover of the internet blackout.

• Human Rights Claims: The Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization suggests the death toll from the recent unrest could exceed 25,000.
• Government Figures: The Iranian government maintains a lower count, claiming 3,117 deaths. Of these, they categorized 2,427 as "martyrs" (including security personnel and bystanders), while labeling the rest as "rioters" allegedly incited by the US and Israel.

Diplomatic Stance
Minister Rufo emphasized that the Iranian people are rejecting their ruling establishment. "The future of the Iranian people is in their own hands; it is not for us to choose their leaders," she said.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, who initially threatened military strikes in response to the crackdown, has since moderated his tone. His shift in position reportedly follows Tehran’s decision to stay certain planned executions.

The protests, which began in Tehran on December 28 over economic grievances, have evolved into a mass movement calling for the ousting of the clerical leadership that has held power since the 1979 revolution.