Macron Urges Iran to Prevent Middle East Escalation

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. Macron emphasized the need for Iran to restrain destabilizing elements following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and an Israeli strike killing Hezbollah's Fuad Shukr.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iranian counterpart Massoud Pezeshkian to do everything in his power to prevent escalation in the Middle East, according to a statement from the Elysee palace following their phone call on Wednesday.

Macron stressed the need for Iran to control the "destabilising players it supports" to avoid further conflict.

The call comes in the wake of rising tensions in the region after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah military commander.

(With inputs from agencies.)