LE BOURGET, France — French President Emmanuel Macron announced Friday that France, alongside Germany and the United Kingdom, is preparing to present Iran with a sweeping diplomatic proposal aimed at de-escalating the spiraling conflict with Israel, reported by AFP.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show, Macron revealed that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will meet with Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi later Friday in Geneva. The meeting, he said, will deliver a “complete diplomatic and technical offer for negotiations” backed by European allies.
“Iran must demonstrate it’s ready to engage in the talks we are proposing,” Macron stated. He emphasized the urgency of returning to “substantive negotiations” that would address Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and regional activities.
The proposed package comprises four key elements. First, a reinstatement of full oversight by the UN nuclear watchdog, including unrestricted access to all Iranian nuclear sites, and a move toward “zero enrichment” of uranium. Second and third, the plan targets curbing Iran’s ballistic missile programs and its financial support for proxy groups destabilizing the Middle East.
The fourth point calls for the release of foreign nationals detained in Iran, including two French citizens, whom Macron referred to as “hostages.”
While underscoring the grave threat of a nuclear-armed Iran — which he described as an “existential risk” to Israel — Macron also criticized Israel’s ongoing military operations. He condemned strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, asserting that “nothing justifies this.”
“There are highly protected sites,” he added, “and we do not even know the precise location of uranium enriched to 60 percent. No one can believe that military action alone is the answer.”
The European initiative marks a significant diplomatic push as tensions continue to mount in the region.
