Macron urges Iran to ease regional tensions, ensure security of Hormuz navigation

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that he spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging Iran to ease regional tensions and ensure the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

“I urged him to seize the opportunity presented by the discussions launched in Islamabad to pave the way for a sustainable reduction in tensions, as well as for reaching a precise and binding agreement,” Macron said on US social media company X.

Macron said the agreement should involve all relevant countries and provide firm guarantees for regional security.

“I also stressed the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon,” Macron said.

He said France firmly supports the Lebanese authorities as the country’s sole legitimate authority responsible for exercising state sovereignty and making decisions about its future.

He added that France was ready to contribute to efforts to restore freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan is hosting the landmark negotiations, seen as the most significant US-Iran talks since 1979, aimed at ending the broader regional conflict amid a fragile two-week ceasefire brokered earlier this week.

Nearly 3,000 Iranians were killed in the war, which began with the US-Israeli offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, according to the country’s health authorities.

At least 13 US servicemen were also killed, with dozens wounded.