Macron Tells Pezeshkian Security of Two French Prisoners in Tehran is Absolute Priority

Emmanuel Macron, president of France, told Masoud Pezeshkian, president of Iran, during a phone call that the security of Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris -- two French citizens imprisoned in Tehran and currently sheltering in the French embassy -- is of "absolute" priority.

Kohler and Paris, described as French language and literature teachers and teachers' union activists, were arrested in Iran in 2022. Their detention has become a key issue in France-Iran relations, prompting Macron to hold multiple discussions with Iranian officials.

Macron stated that the pair are in the French embassy in Tehran but did not explicitly mention their transfer to Paris. In a Persian-language post on X, he said he emphasized the need for Iran to immediately halt attacks against regional countries and to end its practical blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure freedom of navigation.

At the end of the call, Macron expressed his "deep concerns" over Iran's nuclear and missile programs and its destabilizing regional activities, which he described as main factors in the current crisis. He stressed that a diplomatic solution is more essential than ever to address these challenges, de-escalate tensions and preserve peace.

Pezeshkian has not commented on the phone call.