French President Emmanuel Macron met with Iran’s president in New York on Tuesday. During the talks, he urged his Iranian counterpart to use his influence to reduce tensions in Lebanon, the Elysee said.
In a meeting with President Massoud Pezeshkian, Macron “stressed Iran’s responsibility to support the general de-escalation and use its influence on destabilising actors,” the Elysee Palace said in a statement, in an apparent reference to Iran-backed Hezbollah.
French President Emmanuel Macron also told his Iranian counterpart that bilateral relations could only be improved if three French citizens detained in Iran were immediately released.
“The President of the Republic stressed the need for the urgent release of three French citizens arbitrarily held hostage for two years in Iranian prisons in undignified conditions, which is a prerequisite for improving bilateral relations with France,” the French Presidency said in a statement.
Cursor previously wrote that IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said Tuesday morning that Israel will continue to escalate its actions against Hezbollah.
Hezbollah should not be given a respite. We must continue to act with all our strength,” he said in comments provided by the IDF. “Today we will accelerate offensive operations and strengthen all formations. The situation requires intensive and continuous action on all fronts.”
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to fire rockets into northern Israel, and the IDF is striking hundreds of the Iran-backed group’s targets, including residential buildings where military officials say Hezbollah is hiding missiles and projectiles ready to be launched at Israel.
