France’s Macron says discussed Middle East tensions with Saudi, UAE leaders

France’s President Emmanuel Macron said Monday he had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed amid rising concerns over a potential Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel.

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“I have spoken to President Mohamed bin Zayed and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the situation in the Middle East. We call on all actors to show responsibility and restraint in order to avoid a regional escalation,” Macron wrote in a social media post, amid fears that Iran could attack on Israel in retaliation for the killing of a Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

“An escalation is in nobody’s interest,” he added.

The official Saudi Press Agency released a statement Monday confirming the conversation between Macron and MBS, saying the two leaders focused on the escalating regional tensions, underscoring the critical need to de-escalate and prevent the conflict from widening.

The conversation also covered the ongoing situation in Gaza, with both leaders reviewing current efforts to broker a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The Middle East has been on high alert since the assassination of Haniyeh in the Iranian capital on Wednesday.

Iran and the so-called “axis of resistance” – a coalition of Tehran-backed armed groups – have blamed Israel and vowed retaliation. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack.

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