French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday, 21 June 2025, that France and its European partners would intensify diplomatic engagement with Iran, following more than a week of hostilities between Iran and Israel.
On Friday, senior diplomats from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union met in Geneva with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a week after Israel commenced its aerial bombardment. The European representatives urged Tehran to revive diplomatic efforts with the United States to resolve the standoff over its nuclear programme. However, Iranian officials maintained that diplomatic discussions could only proceed once Israel halts its attacks.
President Macron confirmed that negotiations would be accelerated to prevent further escalation.
“I am convinced that a path exists to end the war and avoid even greater dangers,” President Macron said in statement written in English on X (formerly Twitter), following a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. “To achieve this, we will accelerate the negotiations led by France and its European partners with Iran.”
President Macron reaffirmed that “Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons,” adding, “It is up to Iran to provide full guarantees that its intentions are peaceful.”
He also reiterated his demand for the immediate release of French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been detained in Iran since May 2022 on espionage charges their families strongly deny. “Their inhumane detention is unjust,” Macron said. “I expect them to return to France.”
