Macron tells Iran’s president he has role to play in calming regional tensions

BRUSSELS, Belgium — French President Emmanuel Macron tells his new Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call that his nation has a role to play to avoid escalation in Lebanon-Israel tensions by halting support for destabilizing players, the Elysee palace says in a statement.

The Hezbollah terror group, which has been attacking Israel since October 8 in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, is backed by Tehran, along with other militias in the Middle East that have launched strikes on the Jewish state.

Iran should also stop the worrying escalation of its nuclear program and comply with international organizations, Macron adds.

Finally, releasing three French hostages would be a must in order to improve Franco-Iranian relations, he says.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report./

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