French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday called on the US and Iran to return to talks as tensions between the two nations have escalated in the recent past.
During a meeting at UNGA, Macron said, “More than ever, I sincerely and profoundly believe that the time has come to resume negotiations between the US, Iran, the signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the (affected) countries of the region”.
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The goal of the renewed talks would be the first, the certainty that Iran never acquires and develops nuclear weapons; second, a solution to the crisis in Yemen; third, a regional security plan, which also incorporates the other crises of the region and security of maritime navigation; and finally, lifting of economic sanctions, he said.
Macron spoke to the Iranian president shortly after meeting with US President Donald Trump in an attempt to smooth the path for talks between the US and Iran.
The French president told his Iranian counterpart Rouhani that it would be a “lost opportunity” if he did not meet with the US president”.
Because he will not come back in a few months,” Macron said”.
President Trump will not go to Tehran so they have to meet now”, he said.
“Today, we have a risk of a serious conflict based on a miscalculation or a disproportionate response. Peace is at the mercy of an incident of miscalculation. And the consequences for the region would be very serious, too serious for us to live on the edge of a cliff,” said the French President.
He asked the US and Iran to show courage for peace.
Macron was one of the European leaders trying to broker a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, both of whom are in New York for this week’s General Debate of the UNGA.
