Macron calls for swift US-Iran deal, reopening of Strait of Hormuz
Paris, June 1
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a rapid agreement between the United States and Iran, urging the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without conditions and in accordance with international law.
Macron said on social media on Sunday (local time) that he has spoken with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.
He said he delivers the same message to all these leaders, stressing that it is essential for the United States and Iran to reach an agreement quickly.
According to Macron, the priority is to secure a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz without any conditions and in accordance with international law. Discussions should then continue with a view to reaching a comprehensive and robust agreement on other issues, particularly Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and regional stability.
Macron said France stands ready to play its part, including through a multinational initiative jointly led with Britain to help safeguard maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reports Xinhua news agency.
The French President said regional stability must begin with Lebanon and called on all parties to cease hostilities.
He added that France will continue supporting Lebanon's efforts to restore state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center, an Israeli airstrike on Sunday struck an area adjacent to Hiram Hospital in the southern city of Tyre, injuring 13 hospital staff members and causing extensive damage to the facility.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is planning to modify the terms of the agreement with Iran to end the war, even as Tehran prepares to introduce new elements, an American media outlet has reported.
In an endless ping-pong, the White House awaits a new response from Iran in a negotiation that, as three sources told The New York Times, risks starting from a more backward square.
According to one of the officials interviewed by the newspaper, Trump would like to accelerate negotiations by putting more pressure on the counterpart, but has to deal with the complex Iranian hierarchy, reports Adnkronos news agency.
Final approval, in Tehran, rests with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Any modification to the memorandum of understanding, which forms the basis of the agreement, inevitably prolongs the negotiation times.
After Trump's re-launch, in any case, Iran will seek to introduce new amendments to the draft agreement, as reported by the Tasnim news agency.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The US-Iran ping-pong is exhausting. Trump keeps changing terms, Iran keeps adding amendments—meanwhile, we in India are just watching oil prices fluctuate. If Strait of Hormuz stays blocked, our fuel prices will skyrocket again. Macron's call for unconditional reopening is sensible, but will anyone listen? 😤
France and UK leading maritime security in Hormuz—sounds like colonial powers still want control over our trade routes. India should have a stronger voice here, we're a major stakeholder. But our diplomacy is too quiet on this. Macron's message to Gulf leaders is fine, but real action needs India at the table too.
Abey, Macron is just grandstanding. The real issue is Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles—no one trusts them. And Trump? He's playing games like a Bollywood villain. Meanwhile, innocent people in Lebanon get bombed near hospitals. Humanity has lost its way. 🕊️
I'm an American who's lived in India for years, and from here, this whole negotiation looks like a circus. Macron is right to push for swift action—the Strait blockage hurts everyone, especially developing nations. But the US keeps changing the goalposts. Sad to see Lebanon's hospitals targeted too. Peace seems so far away. 😢
India should take a leaf out of Macron's book and mediate more actively. We have good ties with both Iran and the Gulf, plus we depend on that strait. But our leaders are too busy with elections and domestic drama. Shame, because a stable Hormuz means stable fuel
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.