Macron says Islamabad talks should pave way for "lasting de-escalation "

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

French President Emmanuel Macron had a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, stressing that the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations in Pakistan should "pave the way for a lasting de-escalation."

Posing on social media platform X after the call, Macron said U.S.-Iran negotiations in Pakistan should "pave the way for a lasting de-escalation and a demanding agreement that provides solid guarantees for security in the region."

Urging Iran to "seize the opportunity" presented by the talks in Islamabad, he also emphasized the importance of "full respect" for the ceasefire, including in Lebanon, and called for the resumption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as possible," adding that France is "ready to contribute."

France is currently "in contact with some fifteen countries to work on the operationalization" of an international mission intended to facilitate the resumption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said on Thursday.

The proposed mission model would involve "a military escort for commercial vessels, in a strictly defensive posture and in coordination with the parties, including Iran and Oman," Confavreux said.

U.S. and Iranian negotiating teams began talks on Saturday in Islamabad to end recent hostilities in the Middle East.

According to Pakistani sources, issues among the Iranian side's preconditions include the Strait of Hormuz, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, payments for reconstruction, an immediate halt to attacks, including in Lebanon, and permission for civilian nuclear energy use.