French President Emmanuel Macron is positioning himself as a key mediator in the escalating Iran-Israel crisis, launching a last-minute diplomatic initiative that appears aimed at derailing U.S. efforts to tighten pressure on Tehran.
The unexpected move comes amid growing international concern that tensions between Israel and Iran could spiral into a full-scale regional conflict. During the G7 summit in Canada, where leaders were expected to focus on de-escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly exited the talks and criticized Macron for his overtures toward Iran.
“He is ‘publicity seeking’ and always gets it wrong,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, dismissing Macron’s claims that a ceasefire proposal had been floated. “He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington. Much bigger than that. Stay tuned!”
Behind the scenes, Macron appears undeterred. Following a closed-door French defense cabinet session, he directed Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to initiate a new European-led effort aimed at brokering a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The initiative involves France’s E3 partners — Germany and the UK — alongside EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. A senior EU official confirmed that the group is planning a meeting with Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva this Friday to explore options for de-escalation.
While Macron has offered few public details, France has openly warned that Israeli airstrikes are increasingly hitting targets unrelated to Iran’s nuclear or ballistic programs, raising fears of an expanding conflict. “The strikes are targeting more and more objectives that are not linked to the Iranian nuclear and ballistic program,” the Élysée Palace said in a statement.
Also read: War or Diplomacy? Iran Accepts Trump offer as U.S. Weighs Military Action
The U.S., however, appears uninterested in diplomatic delays. Washington sources suggest there is a two-week window for final decisions on Iran strategy, a timeline Macron’s efforts could disrupt. The move complicates coordination between Washington and Jerusalem, potentially slowing any unified push.
For Macron, this is not just about preventing war. The French leader has long sought to carve out an independent European voice in foreign policy — one did not dictate by Washington’s priorities. His intervention now, even with limited leverage, is an attempt to reinforce that role and increase France’s relevance on the global stage.
The immediate beneficiary may be Tehran. Macron’s outreach could offer Iran some diplomatic breathing space as it faces mounting pressure from both the U.S. and Israel. Whether that translates into lasting change is unclear, but for now, Macron has inserted Europe into the heart of a high-stakes geopolitical standoff — whether Trump approves or not.
As Trump doubles down and Israel continues military operations, Macron’s maneuvering could either delay a confrontation — or provoke one sooner than expected.