Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the urgency of resuming negotiations with Iran over its ballistic and nuclear programs in a recent phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Macron highlighted the importance of maintaining the ceasefire as a crucial step towards restoring peace and returning to the negotiating table.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Macron shared in a post on the “X” platform that this dialogue with President Pezeshkian focused on several key issues, including the need to uphold the ceasefire and exercise maximum restraint. Macron also expressed concerns about the release of citizens Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, and the protection of property in Iran, stressing that these should not face any threats.

In his conversation, Macron reiterated the necessity of returning to negotiations to address the issues surrounding Iran’s ballistic and nuclear activities. He emphasized the importance of respecting the ceasefire to help restore regional peace, preserving the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty framework, and resuming the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) activities in Iran to ensure transparency.

The backdrop to these discussions includes recent indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran concerning Iran’s nuclear program, which were interrupted by Israeli military actions against Iran on June 13. Following 12 days of military exchanges between Israel and Iran, with US support for Israel, a ceasefire was brokered. US President Donald Trump has since urged Tehran to return to the negotiating table to finalize a nuclear agreement.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has also stressed that addressing Iran’s nuclear program through military means is not a viable solution, reinforcing the need for diplomatic negotiations.