"I called Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to call for an immediate end to the unacceptable attacks they are conducting against countries in the region, whether direct strikes or through proxy organizations, typically in Lebanon and Iraq," French President Emmanuel Macron stated on 15/3.
The phone call between the two leaders took place days after France announced one soldier was killed and 6 were injured in a suicide drone attack targeting the Kurdistan autonomous region in Iraq on 13/3. These were the first casualties for the French military since the Middle East conflict erupted in late February.
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President Macron speaking at the Elysee Palace in Paris on 13/3. Photo: AFP
President Macron emphasized to his counterpart Pezeshkian that Iran targeting French interests in the region is "unacceptable." He warned that the current escalation is pushing the entire region into chaos, with serious immediate and long-term consequences.
France affirmed that Paris's current actions are entirely defensive, aimed at protecting national interests, regional partners, and freedom of navigation. He also called for the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as possible."
President Macron believes that peace and security can only be achieved through establishing a new political and security framework, one that ensures Iran never possesses nuclear weapons, while also addressing the threat from its ballistic missile program and what he described as Tehran's "destabilizing" activities.
Iranian officials have not yet released information about the phone call.
In an earlier phone call with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on countries to "refrain from any actions that could escalate and spread the conflict." The warning came after US President Donald Trump called on countries to send warships to protect oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Middle East has been embroiled in conflict since the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on 28/2. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones into Israeli territory, US bases in the Middle East, and critical energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries.
These attacks, along with the paralysis of the Strait of Hormuz, have caused global energy prices to soar, impacting the global economy.
By Thanh Danh (AFP, Al Jazeera)
