French President Emmanuel Macron told Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday that attacks on Emirati civilian infrastructure and ships near the Strait of Hormuz were “unjustified.”

The two leaders spoke by phone about regional developments, ongoing negotiations and the situation in the strait. Iran, in turn, linked any progress on reopening the waterway to the lifting of the US naval blockade.

What did Macron say to Iran about the UAE strikes?

Macron said he expressed deep concern over the ongoing escalation and condemned the strikes on Emirati civilian infrastructure and several ships as unjustified.

He made the statement on X following the phone call with Pezeshkian. Other outlets reported that Macron also described the strikes as “unacceptable” and pledged that France would continue pressing for a diplomatic resolution.

What conditions did Iran set for reopening the Strait of Hormuz?

Pezeshkian told Macron that any negotiation on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz required the United States to first lift its naval blockade.

He said Iran was ready to resolve all issues within the framework of international law and had no demands beyond securing the legitimate rights of the Iranian people. Iran’s presidency published his remarks on its official website following the call.

Why does Iran distrust the United States on negotiations?

Pezeshkian cited what he called excessive US demands, threatening statements and a failure to adhere to necessary diplomatic frameworks as reasons for Iran’s distrust of Washington. He said these factors had “further complicated the path of diplomacy.”

He also told Macron that Iran welcomed France’s approach of resolving issues through dialogue.