Macron: "Spoke with Iranian President... Attacks on Neighboring Countries Must Stop"

First Direct Call Between Western Leader and Iranian President

French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on March 8 (local time), urging a halt to attacks on neighboring countries.

On the same day, President Macron referenced his call with President Pezeshkian in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I emphasized the urgent need for Iran to immediately cease attacks on countries in the region."

Emmanuel Macron, President of France. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

President Macron said, "Iran must also guarantee freedom of navigation by effectively lifting its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "I reiterated my deep concerns over Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program development, as well as its destabilizing activities in the region, which have been the root cause of the current crisis."

He continued, "Diplomatic solutions are more necessary than ever to respond to these major challenges, prevent further escalation, and maintain peace," and added, "We agreed to remain in contact."

According to AFP, this was the first time since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran that a Western leader has spoken with the Iranian president. President Macron was also reported to have held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on the same day, although specific details have not been disclosed.

President Macron is scheduled to visit Cyprus, a member state of the European Union, on March 9. Previously, on March 2, several drones flew into the British Royal Air Force Akrotiri base in Cyprus, damaging an aircraft hangar. Cypriot authorities suspect that the drones, which were launched from Lebanon and are believed to be Iranian-made, were operated by Hezbollah, an armed group supported by Iran.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.