PARIS, France — Emmanuel Macron says he has urged Iran to immediately halt attacks across the Middle East following a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian amid rising regional tensions.
In a statement, the French leader said he condemned what he described as unacceptable actions carried out by Iran directly or through allied groups across the region, including in Lebanon and Iraq.
Macron said France’s actions in the region remain strictly defensive and aimed at protecting its national interests, regional partners, and freedom of navigation.
“I called on him to put an immediate end to the unacceptable attacks Iran is carrying out against countries in the region,” Macron said, adding that it is unacceptable for France to be targeted.
The call comes amid growing fears that escalating tensions in the Middle East could destabilise the wider region and disrupt key global trade routes.
Macron warned that the current escalation risks plunging the region into prolonged instability, with long-term consequences for security and economic stability.
“The unchecked escalation we are witnessing is plunging the entire region into chaos,” he said, noting that civilians across the region — including in Iran — are bearing the cost of the crisis.
The French president said a new political and security framework is needed to restore stability and prevent further conflict.
According to Macron, any future framework must ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons while also addressing concerns over its ballistic missile programme and regional activities.
He also called for the immediate restoration of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints for global oil shipments.
In addition, Macron urged the Iranian government to allow two detained French nationals — Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris — to return home.
“Their ordeal has gone on for far too long, and they belong with their loved ones,” Macron said.
