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Demands Repatriation of Two French Teachers Detained in Country for Three Years
- Safiu Kehinde
France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, has charged his Iranian counterpart, Massoud Pezeshkian, to stop what he labelled unacceptable attacks on Iraq, Lebanon, and its other neighbouring countries across the Gulf Region.
Macron, in a statement issued on his official X handle on Sunday, disclosed giving the charge to Massoud in a telephone conversation with the Iranian President.
The French President demanded immediate end to the attacks as he warned of further major consequences if the attacks are left unchecked.
“I have just spoken with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian.
“I called on him to put an immediate end to the unacceptable attacks Iran is carrying out against countries in the region, whether directly or through proxies, including in Lebanon and Iraq.
“I reminded him that France is acting within a strictly defensive framework aimed at protecting its interests, its regional partners, and freedom of navigation, and that it is unacceptable for our country to be targeted.
“The unchecked escalation we are witnessing is plunging the entire region into chaos, with major consequences today and for the years to come.
“The people of Iran, like those across the region, are paying the price.” He said.
Macron held that only a new political and security framework, which include prevention of Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapon, can ensure peace and security for all.
He also called for the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as well as the repatriation of two French teachers, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris. who were jailed for three years over espionage allegation.
“Such a framework must guarantee that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, while also addressing the threats posed by its ballistic missile programme and its destabilising activities regionally and internationally.
“Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be restored as soon as possible.
“I also urged the Iranian President to allow Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris to return safely to France as soon as possible. Their ordeal has gone on for far too long, and they belong with their loved ones.” Macron added.
Though they had since been released from prison, the two French teachers are however still trapped in Iran as they were not allowed to leave the country.