PARIS

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to his Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, calling on Iran to return to negotiations to resolve the issue of its nuclear program.

"Iran’s nuclear program is a serious concern and must be resolved through negotiation," Macron said on X.

"I therefore invited President Pezeshkian to return swiftly to the negotiating table to reach an agreement — the only viable path to de-escalation. We stand ready to contribute and to mobilize all our efforts to achieve that goal."

Western countries and Israel have accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an accusation Tehran has denied.

Uranium enrichment is said to be a sticking point in indirect talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Oman.

But the sixth round of talks, scheduled for Sunday in Muscat, was called off after Israel’s Friday attack on Iranian military and nuclear facilities.

Macron highlighted the serious risk of destabilization across the region and called for diplomatic facilities and nationals of France in Iran and the wider region not to be targeted under any circumstances.

“I also urged the utmost restraint to avoid escalation,” he said.

Macron also demanded the immediate release of French citizens Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, “who have been held hostages by the Iranian regime in unacceptable conditions for over three years.”