Macron Urges Iran to Cease ‘Destabilizing Regional Activities’

French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in front of French ambassadors during the conference of ambassadors at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, August 28, 2023. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in front of French ambassadors during the conference of ambassadors at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, August 28, 2023. (Reuters)
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Macron Urges Iran to Cease ‘Destabilizing Regional Activities’

French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in front of French ambassadors during the conference of ambassadors at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, August 28, 2023. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron gives a speech in front of French ambassadors during the conference of ambassadors at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, August 28, 2023. (Reuters)

President Emmanuel Macron covered a wide array of topics and challenges facing France in the coming years as he addressed the French diplomatic corps on the occasion of the annual conference for the 163 ambassadors and 15 delegates to international organizations.

He dedicated a segment to Iran when discussing France’s commitments to countries in the Middle East and the broader Eastern region, particularly in the context of counterterrorism efforts.

Furthermore, it appears that the issue of the four detained French individuals - Macron mistakenly mentioned six detainees twice in his speech - whom France regards as “state hostages,” continues to cast a shadow over the relations between Paris and Tehran.

Macron’s firm stance regarding the hostage situation is not limited to that aspect alone; it also extends to Iran’s nuclear activities and its regional policies, which Paris still describes as “destabilizing.”

This characterization persists despite the recent rapprochement between Tehran and several regional capitals.

Macron affirmed that his country’s policy toward Iran is “clear and not tainted by any weakness.”

The president did not hesitate to express his satisfaction with “the progress achieved in recent weeks,” referring to the agreement reached between the US and Tehran last month concerning the release of five dual-national American citizens.

However, based on his experience, Macron conveyed that he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the agreement.

As for the case of the four French individuals detained in Iran, Macron sternly urged Tehran to release them, asserting that “nothing justifies their detention in prisons under unacceptable conditions,” and their imprisonment is an “arbitrary act.”

He emphasized that Paris will persist in both demanding and working towards their release.

This isn't the first time that Paris has made such a request.

However, the prevailing belief in France is that Tehran is seeking a quid pro quo, similar to what recently transpired with Belgium, where Tehran released its citizen who was working in the humanitarian field in Iran in exchange for the release of Assadollah Assadi.

Assadi, an Iranian diplomat accredited in Austria, was apprehended in Germany and handed over to Belgium, where he was tried and sentenced to prison.



Trump Signals US May Ease Iran Oil Sanction Enforcement to Help Rebuild Country

In this picture obtained from the Iranian Mizan News Agency on June 25, 2025, excavator is used to clear the rubble outside the Evin prison complex in Tehran that was hit days ago by an Israeli strike. (AFP)
In this picture obtained from the Iranian Mizan News Agency on June 25, 2025, excavator is used to clear the rubble outside the Evin prison complex in Tehran that was hit days ago by an Israeli strike. (AFP)
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Trump Signals US May Ease Iran Oil Sanction Enforcement to Help Rebuild Country

In this picture obtained from the Iranian Mizan News Agency on June 25, 2025, excavator is used to clear the rubble outside the Evin prison complex in Tehran that was hit days ago by an Israeli strike. (AFP)
In this picture obtained from the Iranian Mizan News Agency on June 25, 2025, excavator is used to clear the rubble outside the Evin prison complex in Tehran that was hit days ago by an Israeli strike. (AFP)

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US has not given up its maximum pressure on Iran - including restrictions on sales of Iranian oil - but signaled a potential easing in enforcement to help the country rebuild.

"They're going to need money to put that country back into shape. We want to see that happen," Trump said at a news conference at the NATO Summit when asked if he was easing oil sanctions on Iran.

Trump said a day earlier that China can continue to purchase Iranian oil after Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, but the White House later clarified that his comments did not indicate a relaxation of US sanctions.

Trump imposed waves of Iran-related sanctions on several of China's independent "teapot" refineries and port terminal operators for purchases of Iranian oil.

Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, told CNBC that Trump's comment on China's ability to buy Iranian oil "was a signal to the Chinese that we want to work with you, that we're not interested in hurting your economy."

China is the top buyer of Iranian crude and has long opposed Trump's sanctions on the oil.

"We're interested in working together with you in unison, and hopefully that becomes a signal to the Iranians," Witkoff said.