French President Emmanuel Macron has come out this Wednesday in defense of the preliminary agreement reached between the United States and Iran, emphasizing that it is "good" because it marks the end of hostilities in the entire Middle East region, although "it does not resolve everything immediately" and will be subject to future talks between Washington and Tehran on the nuclear issue.
"This agreement that puts an end to the fighting throughout the arc from the Strait of Hormuz to Lebanon is something positive. I support it and I believe it is necessary and that it is very positive that there is this G7 backing for the American decision," he stated at a press conference at the end of the G7 leaders' summit held in the French town of Évian.
Macron described the sealing of a pact as a "prudent decision," highlighting the consequences that prolonging the clashes or keeping the Strait of Hormuz blocked for months would have had. "We have a humanitarian, political, and economic responsibility," he emphasized after the meeting in which the President of the United States, Donald Trump, met with the heads of government of France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada.
In this regard, he presented the preliminary understanding as "the best possible situation." "Does it solve everything? No. Are there risks? Yes, as in any situation," he pointed out, focusing on the fact that what will be decisive from now on is how the agreement is implemented, which is why he called for increased pressure to ensure compliance.
The French leader considered it "fundamental" that all actors involved, beyond the United States and Iran, refrain from reactivating violence, including on Lebanese territory. "That is key. Iran, Hezbollah, and, of course, Israel as well. I am not establishing an equivalence between them; I am simply saying that, whoever it may be, the fighting must not resume: peace must prevail," he summarized.
At the same time, he acknowledged that the evolution of the scenario and its stability will depend on the negotiations that will open from now on for "a good agreement on the nuclear program, ballistic activities, and regional risks," a dialogue for which Tehran and Washington have set a deadline of 60 days.
Regarding Trump's warnings about the possibility of resuming attacks against Tehran if it violates what was agreed upon, the head of the Élysée has downplayed these statements, interpreting them as an attempt to dissuade Iran from deviating from the commitment.
"I understand his meaning because I know the intention behind it: to restore credibility by affirming that there are deterrent capabilities. That is what President Trump means when he talks about it," he explained to journalists, reiterating that "it should not be interpreted as a short-term threat."