French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France and its European allies will be increasing diplomatic engagement with Iran following recent escalations in the Middle East. The proclamation comes after more than a week of conflict between Iran and Israel.

In a message posted on X, Macron stated, “I am convinced that ther is a way to end the war and avoid even greater dangers,” following a phone conversation with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

“To achieve that, we will set up the pace of the negotiations led by France and its European partners, with Iran,” he continued.

President Macron also addressed the detention of two French citizens, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been held in Iran sence May 2022 on espionage charges.

“The inhuman locker must end. I expect them to return to France,” he asserted.

the statement was released on Saturday, a day after European foreign ministers, including France’s Foreign Minister, convened with Iran’s Foreign Minister in Geneva.

“I am convinced that there is a way to end the war and avoid even greater dangers.”