French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken with Massoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, urging him to halt what he described as “unacceptable attacks” carried out by Iran or its proxies across the Middle East.
Macron disclosed the conversation in a statement posted on X on March 15, where he outlined France’s concerns over escalating tensions in the region.
He added that France’s actions in the region are strictly defensive and aimed at protecting its interests, regional partners, and international shipping routes.
Macron said he warned the Iranian leader about the consequences of escalating military actions across the region and called for an immediate end to attacks linked to Tehran.
The French leader also emphasised that France’s presence and activities in the region are purely defensive and intended to safeguard its interests and allies.
The 47-year-old French president also outlined additional demands during the conversation, stressing the need for a broader security framework to stabilise the region.
Macron further called for the restoration of safe passage through one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
He also appealed for the release of two French citizens currently held in Iran.
Macron’s call with the Iranian leader comes roughly four days after a deadly drone attack in northern Iraq involving a drone believed to be Iranian-made.
Reacting to the incident at the time, Macron condemned the attack, saying French forces had been operating solely within the scope of counterterrorism operations.
Earlier in the conflict between Iran and the combined forces of the United States and Israel, an Iranian drone also struck a naval facility in Abu Dhabi hosting French forces, though no casualties were reported.
France has repeatedly criticised the escalating conflict in the Middle East while maintaining that its involvement in the region is primarily defensive and focused on protecting strategic interests.
Earlier in March, Naiarametrics reported that Macron ordered the deployment of a French aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean Sea to safeguard maritime routes and protect Europe’s economic interests.
France is estimated to have about 4,000 troops deployed across the Middle East, where tensions have intensified in recent weeks due to ongoing regional conflicts.