French president 'optimistic' about Putin's position on Iran leaving Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron is "optimistic" about Vladimir Putin's position on Iran leaving a global arms control treaty, according to a government spokesperson.

"He (Macron) told us that he was rather optimistic about Vladimir Putin’s position, who would indeed oppose Iran leaving this treaty (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It is therefore quite a strong and crucial stance, affirming that diplomacy must be prioritized," Sophie Primas said Wednesday at a Cabinet meeting.

She urged a "diplomatic solution" that would allow Iran to remain within the NPT and enable inspections on its territory.

Asked whether Macron was optimistic about the situation in Ukraine, Primas said, "A little less so," and noted that Russia continues with "unprecedented attacks."

"The issue of the ceasefire was brought up, but Vladimir Putin is still imposing the same conditions, which for now are not being met," she added.

Macron and Putin held a phone discussion Tuesday where they discussed Ukraine and the Middle East in the context of the Iran-Israel conflict and US strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities.

The call is the first between the two presidents in more than two years, with the last known in September 2022.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a law Wednesday requiring the government to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

That decision follows growing tensions between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog about monitoring access and transparency in the wake of recent military confrontations with Israel and the US.

A 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran erupted June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. Tehran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes, while the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites.

The conflict ended with a US-sponsored ceasefire that took effect June 24.