Macron urges Iran's president to 'exercise utmost restraint'
President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, June 22, urged Tehran to de-escalate and "exercise the utmost restraint" after US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in a call with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian. "I called for de-escalation and for Iran to exercise the utmost restraint in this dangerous context to allow a return to the diplomatic path," Macron posted on X.
He said he also told Iran to "renounce nuclear weapons," warning of "the risk of the worst for the entire region." It is "the only path that leads to peace and security for all," Macron said. On Sunday, Macron also spoke with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Together with European partners, France has advocated a diplomatic solution to end the conflict between Israel and Iran. Macron had said Saturday that France and its European partners planned to step up talks with Iran.
Earlier Sunday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed "concern" over the US air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and urged "restraint." Macron will convene a meeting of France's defence and national security council on Sunday evening, the presidency said.
On Friday, British, French, German and EU diplomats held talks in Geneva with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a week after Israel started its bombardment of Iranian sites. They urged Iran to revive diplomatic efforts with the United States to find a solution in the standoff over its nuclear programme.
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