Diplomacy

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Iran and US negotiations stall over future of Strait of Hormuz

Despite assurances from Washington, negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz have not been smooth sailing. The possibility of an Iranian and Omani toll continues to divide policymakers, with some seeing it as the least worst option.

Published on July 2, 2026, at 12:06 pm (Paris) Claire Gatinois

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Burkina Faso severs diplomatic ties with France, a sudden move with far-reaching consequences

Captain Ibrahim Traoré announced on June 26 that Burkina Faso will break off bilateral relations with Paris. The 2,500 French nationals living in the country will no longer be able to rely on embassy or consular services, as staff are being repatriated.

Published on July 2, 2026, at 1:40 am (Paris), updated on July 2, 2026, at 11:27 am Benjamin Roger

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Trumpism gains ground in Latin America

The recent electoral successes of the far right in Peru and Colombia bolster the view that the ideas of US President Donald Trump are resonating in the region and that his influence continues to grow. But trade figures show that Beijing has filled the void left by Washington over several years.

Published on June 25, 2026, at 12:32 pm (Paris) Le Monde

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Israel and Lebanon resume negotiations in Washington amid US-Iran talks

Beirut seeks to keep control over the post-war situation, while Hezbollah pushes for deferring to Tehran, which has made the conflict in Lebanon a key component of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed on June 17.

Published on June 23, 2026, at 11:40 am (Paris) Hélène Sallon

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Warsaw and Kyiv dispute national historical memories ahead of Ukraine Recovery Conference

In response to Kyiv's tribute to 20th-century Ukrainian nationalists accused of massacres in Poland, Polish President Karol Nawrocki has stripped Volodymyr Zelensky of the country's highest honor.

Published on June 21, 2026, at 12:44 pm (Paris), updated on June 21, 2026, at 9:21 pm Thomas d’Istria Hélène Bienvenu

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'In Iran, none of the causes that sparked the relentless and admirable anti-regime uprisings has disappeared'

The Islamic Republic is militarily weakened and economically drained after the joint Israeli-American offensive. Until now, Iranian leaders have remained united, but divisions may emerge in the coming months, observes Alain Frachon, columnist at Le Monde, in his regular column.

Published on June 19, 2026, at 5:58 am (Paris) Alain Frachon

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Editorial

Iran emerges in position of strength after ceasefire signed with US

The memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran on Wednesday, June 17, puts an end to hostilities and reopens the Strait of Hormuz, but remains vague on the central issue of Iran's nuclear program.

Published on June 18, 2026, at 12:52 pm (Paris) Le Monde

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Macron receives Trump at Château de Versailles to discuss Ukraine

Fresh off the G7 summit in Evian, the French president hosted the billionaire for a lavish dinner, continuing the series of diplomatic gestures that has brought the American president closer to European positions, especially on Ukraine.

Published on June 18, 2026, at 11:30 am (Paris), updated on June 18, 2026, at 11:59 am Claire Gatinois Louis Imbert

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Trump's shift on Ukraine welcomed by G7 leaders

The American president indicated a tougher line against Moscow during the three-day meeting in France, which was hailed as a success by G7 leaders. After the summit, he accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron on a private tour of Versailles, followed by a candlelit dinner with 30 guests.

Published on June 18, 2026, at 5:33 am (Paris), updated on June 18, 2026, at 10:08 am Le Monde with AFP

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France shuts down clandestine Chinese 'police stations' operating on its territory

Since early 2026, French counterintelligence services have dismantled nine clandestine structures operating in France under the direction of China's Ministry of Public Security. The sites were notably used to track down dissidents.

Published on June 18, 2026, at 12:48 am (Paris), updated on June 18, 2026, at 1:49 pm Jacques Follorou

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Trump welcomed at Versailles after G7: 'Macron has turned the château into a diplomatic extension of the Elysée'

In an interview, historian Fabien Oppermann said that the dinner planned for Wednesday highlights the French president's desire 'to impress his counterpart,' in hopes of preserving the transatlantic relationship at a time when ties with the US are especially strained.

Published on June 17, 2026, at 8:30 pm (Paris) Thomas Wieder

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'The relationship with Washington that once underpinned Netanyahu's power has become a burden'

The strategic impasse resulting from the attack on Iran has intensified the shift in American public opinion, which has grown increasingly weary of Israel's endless wars, writes Le Monde columnist Gilles Paris.

Published on June 17, 2026, at 11:17 am (Paris), updated on June 17, 2026, at 11:19 am Gilles Paris

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Trump, buoyed by his deal with Iran, shows renewed interest in Ukraine at G7 summit

European leaders, who would like the US to reengage in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, encouraged the American president's enthusiasm about his memorandum of understanding with Tehran and confirmed their offer of assistance in the Strait of Hormuz.

Published on June 17, 2026, at 10:34 am (Paris) Claire Gatinois

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Europe tries to weigh in on US-Iran peace process at the G7 in France

As 60 days of negotiations begin following the official signing of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran on Friday, European leaders want to avoid an outcome that is too favorable to Iran.

Published on June 16, 2026, at 12:34 pm (Paris) Claire Gatinois Louis Imbert

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Weakened at home, Macron counts on 'his' last G7 to boost his diplomatic record

As his second term grows increasingly complex at home amid the killing of 11-year-old Lyhanna, the French president, who is chairing the G7 summit in Evian, is staking his legitimacy on an ambitious international agenda.

Published on June 16, 2026, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on June 16, 2026, at 9:15 am Mariama Darame

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G7 in France: Europeans hope to put war in Ukraine back on Trump's agenda

In order not to risk offending the US president, the summit will sidestep the fight against climate change. Donald Trump is also invited to a closing dinner at the Château de Versailles.

Published on June 15, 2026, at 10:40 am (Paris), updated on June 15, 2026, at 4:34 pm Claire Gatinois

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As US, Iran announce framework deal to end war, Trump's priority is to go back to normal trade relations

The agreement, which is set to be signed on June 19 in Switzerland, lays out the principles for ending the fighting, ahead of a 60-day round of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, enriched uranium stockpiles and the lifting of US sanctions.

Published on June 15, 2026, at 10:06 am (Paris), updated on June 15, 2026, at 12:16 pm Piotr Smolar

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Heavy security deployed around Evian for G7 summit

For the organization of the international meeting, authorities have deployed a reinforced security operation, directly inspired by the Paris 2024 Olympic Games experience.

Published on June 14, 2026, at 12:12 pm (Paris) Antoine Albertini

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Iran and US say deal 'has never been closer' despite Trump lashing out

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a draft deal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran was nearing completion, after Donald Trump earlier dismissed an Iranian account of the draft agreement as lies, bearing 'no relation to the truth.'

Published on June 12, 2026, at 2:48 pm (Paris), updated on June 12, 2026, at 11:49 pm Le Monde with AFP

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'France does not need to choose between supporting Palestinian statehood and supporting Palestinian democracy'

The recognition of the State of Palestine by France in September 2025 was tied to a promise to hold elections within 12 months – a commitment that President Mahmoud Abbas has failed to honor, laments lawyer Samer Sinijlawi, who addresses Emmanuel Macron in this opinion piece for Le Monde.

Published on June 12, 2026, at 9:01 am (Paris) Samer Sinijlawi

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'While the G7 is indisputably obsolescent, nothing seems capable of replacing it'

Although rooted in a bygone era and battered by Donald Trump, the Group of Seven continues to meet purely out of habit, writes Le Monde columnist Gilles Paris, one week before the summit chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron in Evian.

Published on June 10, 2026, at 7:30 pm (Paris), updated on June 10, 2026, at 9:18 pm Gilles Paris

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'No one was prepared for what was about to happen': Gaza flotilla activist speaks about violence she suffered in Israel

French prosecutors have launched an investigation into 'torture' and 'war crimes' following a foreign ministry report on Israel's treatment of French nationals in the Gaza flotilla. One of them, Malika Baouya, said Israeli soldiers tortured her.

Published on June 7, 2026, at 12:07 am (Paris), updated on June 8, 2026, at 3:44 pm Sofia Fischer

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Zelensky's letter to Putin is actually addressed to Russia's elites who are tired of the war in Ukraine

Behind the offer of an outstretched hand, the Ukrainian president's letter to the Russian leader seeks to exploit Moscow's vulnerabilities and the Russian people's exhaustion after four years of high-intensity war.

Published on June 6, 2026, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on June 6, 2026, at 4:53 pm Claire Gatinois Thomas d’Istria Benjamin Quénelle

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US-Israel ceasefire with Iran jeopardized by Israeli push into Lebanon

After Iran and the US exchanged fresh strikes, while Israel pressed its offensive further into Lebanon, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Tehran was 'suspending dialogues and exchange of texts' on a ceasefire.

Published on June 1, 2026, at 6:19 pm (Paris), updated on June 1, 2026, at 9:02 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Upcoming G7 in Evian puts serious strain on France-Switzerland relations

The summit, scheduled to take place on the French shore of Lake Geneva from June 15 to 17, has required the involvement of Swiss authorities due to delegations transiting through Geneva Airport and a planned demonstration in the city.

Published on June 1, 2026, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on June 1, 2026, at 9:51 am Serge Enderlin

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Sheikha Al-Mayassa Al Thani, the princess spearheading Qatar's artistic ambitions

A central figure in the country's cultural policy, the emir's sister has skillfully used the acquisition of prestigious works of art, the hosting of fairs and the creation of museums to build valuable diplomatic ties.

Published on May 31, 2026, at 6:30 pm (Paris), updated on May 31, 2026, at 9:09 pm Roxana Azimi Raphaëlle Bacqué

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Norway to join France-led nuclear deterrence program

In March, Macron unveiled a program to have France, the EU's only nuclear-armed country, use its atomic stockpile to boost European security. Eight other countries have joined: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Published on May 27, 2026, at 11:41 pm (Paris), updated on May 28, 2026, at 10:49 am Le Monde with AFP

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At the G7, the US wants no mention of the words 'climate change'

France has commissioned a study on the economic consequences of extreme weather events from the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), a coalition of central banks working on the impacts of global warming. The US Federal Reserve has withdrawn from it.

Published on May 20, 2026, at 5:58 pm (Paris) Eric Albert

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Putin and Xi reaffirm 'unyielding' ties days after Trump visit

On his visit to China, Vladimir Putin told Xi Jinping that relations between the two countries had reached an 'unprecedentedly high level' despite 'unfavorable external factors,' without naming any third country.

Published on May 20, 2026, at 7:48 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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French minister says G7 talks were 'sometimes difficult'

Speaking after a meeting of G7 ministers, Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the talks were 'frank, sometimes difficult, direct,' amid geopolitical tensions affecting the global economy, notably due to a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

Published on May 19, 2026, at 3:53 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Ofer Bronchtein, 'Israeli dreamer' of peace who had a Palestinian passport, has died

The French-Israeli dual citizen, who had the ear of President Emmanuel Macron, died on Monday. He spent much of his life fighting for the coexistence of a Palestinian state and Israel, despite the attacks he endured.

Published on May 19, 2026, at 10:45 am (Paris), updated on May 19, 2026, at 10:45 am Claire Gatinois

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Putin meets with Xi to strengthen deeply unbalanced relations

During his visit to China on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Russian president hopes to make use of the war in Iran to advance a gas pipeline project.

Published on May 19, 2026, at 10:23 am (Paris), updated on May 19, 2026, at 4:37 pm Louis Imbert Marie Jégo

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G7 finance ministers meet in Paris to overcome their differences

The G7 Finance Summit convenes in France on Monday and Tuesday, as US President Donald Trump has shattered the founding principles of multilateralism and free trade that have defined this club of wealthy nations.

Published on May 18, 2026, at 8:33 am (Paris), updated on May 18, 2026, at 12:36 pm Julien Bouissou

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Editorial

Building equal partnerships between France and African countries

The Africa Forward summit, held in Nairobi on May 11 and 12, signals a desire to break away from a form of implicit political guardianship that has long fueled anti-French sentiment across Africa.

Published on May 13, 2026, at 1:21 pm (Paris) Le Monde

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Netanyahu slams 'moral bankruptcy' of EU after Israeli settler sanctions

Following the European Union's announcement on Monday that it agreed to hit Israeli settlers with new sanctions over violence against Palestinians, the Israeli PM said that 'Israel and the US are doing Europe's dirty work by fighting for civilization against jihadist lunatics in Iran and elsewhere.'

Published on May 11, 2026, at 3:51 pm (Paris), updated on May 12, 2026, at 7:32 am Le Monde with AFP

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Kenya and France strengthen their strategic partnership

Nairobi will host the 'Africa Forward' summit on May 11 and 12, co-organized with Paris. In recent years, the two countries have steadily reinforced their cooperation.

Published on May 10, 2026, at 11:16 pm (Paris), updated on May 11, 2026, at 8:00 am Alba Dufaure

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France to send its ambassador back to Algeria to ease relations

Ambassador Stéphane Romatet, who had been recalled to Paris in April 2025 amid tensions with Algiers, is set to resume his duties in Algeria, 'to restore an effective dialogue' between the two countries, according to the presidency.

Published on May 8, 2026, at 10:53 am (Paris), updated on May 8, 2026, at 12:55 pm Le Monde with AFP

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'Faced with Trump and Putin, the war in Ukraine is acting as a catalyst for Europe's autonomization'

Amid international turmoil, Donald Trump is punishing Germany, Ukraine is scoring points against Russia and Canada is emerging as Europe's staunchest supporter, observes Le Monde columnist Sylvie Kauffmann.

Published on May 8, 2026, at 4:00 am (Paris) Sylvie Kauffmann

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French architects of Iran nuclear deal watch Trump unravel their work

French diplomats who helped negotiate the 2015 Vienna agreement, aimed to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, now watch bitterly as decisions by the Trump administration unravel their work.

Published on May 6, 2026, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Claire Gatinois Louis Imbert

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Trump temporarily backs down on reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force

Forty-eight hours after launching an operation to escort ships through the strategic waterway, the US president suspended it, citing progress in negotiations with Iran.

Published on May 6, 2026, at 5:32 pm (Paris) Claire Gatinois

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On Algeria, Macron has a goal for his last year in office: Reconciliation

The French president, who began his first term aiming to ease historical tensions, now faces the most severe crisis in bilateral relations since Algeria's independence in 1962.

Published on May 6, 2026, at 5:00 am (Paris) Frédéric Bobin

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'Taiwan has become essential for the world's future,' says François Wu, deputy foreign minister

Two weeks before US President Donald Trump is due to visit Beijing, on May 14 and 15, Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu Chih-chung emphasized Taiwan's increasingly strategic position and the 'useful' global role it can play.

Published on May 3, 2026, at 7:30 pm (Paris) Florence de Changy

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Gulf monarchies divided amid threats of new US strikes on Iran

During a visit to the Gulf countries, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot spoke to the divided allies, who seek to achieve greater autonomy over their own defense while avoiding upsetting Washington.

Published on May 2, 2026, at 4:50 pm (Paris), updated on May 3, 2026, at 5:45 am Louis Imbert

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Trump reignites trade war with Europe amid tensions over Iran

The US president announced that car and truck imports will be subject to a 25% tariff, up from 15%, starting from the week of Monday, May 4.

Published on May 2, 2026, at 11:31 am (Paris) Nicolas Chapuis

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Madagascar's leader speaks with Macron after expelling French diplomat

On Tuesday, Madagascar expelled a French diplomat over an alleged plot to destabilize the country. Two days later, interim president Michael Randrianirina called Emmanuel Macron to discuss what he described as 'an isolated incident.'

Published on April 30, 2026, at 1:32 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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King Charles III urges US not to turn inward in speech to Congress

While maintaining a consensual tone, the British monarch said an 'unyielding resolve' was 'needed' to defend Ukraine, and reminded his audience of the importance of the rule of law and environmental protection.

Published on April 29, 2026, at 9:12 am (Paris), updated on April 29, 2026, at 2:23 pm Piotr Smolar

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Iranian FM blames US for failure of talks while in Russia for diplomatic tour

Speaking from Russia, where he is scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US's 'excessive demands' had led the first round of peace talks, held in Pakistan, to fail 'despite progress.'

Published on April 27, 2026, at 11:25 am (Paris), updated on April 27, 2026, at 7:06 pm Le Monde with AFP

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Washington's resentment toward 'paper tiger' NATO is growing

The Trump administration has accused NATO allies of failing to show solidarity with the United States during the war with Iran. Its frustration is particularly strong toward Spain, France and the United Kingdom.

Published on April 25, 2026, at 1:01 pm (Paris) Piotr Smolar

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UK and France hail 'real progress' in Hormuz mission

A dedicated operational planning group on Wednesday presented a decision brief to military planners for a multinational mission led by the United Kingdom and France to protect navigation in the key waterway, top defense officials said.

Published on April 23, 2026, at 5:42 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

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Lebanon displays proximity to France ahead of talks with Israel

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, April 21, just 48 hours before scheduled talks in Washington, as Lebanon seeks to break its diplomatic isolation amid pressure from Israel and the Trump administration.

Published on April 22, 2026, at 10:58 am (Paris), updated on April 22, 2026, at 11:46 am Claire Gatinois Hélène Sallon

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Former French detainee in Qatar condemns Elysée's 'silence' and Macron's 'inaction'

André, a French cybersecurity expert, was imprisoned in Qatar for 264 days for computer data theft. In an interview with Le Monde, he denounced the 'biased' judicial system, his detention conditions and Emmanuel Macron's 'inaction.'

Published on April 21, 2026, at 5:01 pm (Paris) Rémi Dupré

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US and Iran in diplomatic deadlock and naval escalation as ceasefire nears expiration

Donald Trump announced the dispatch of a US delegation to Islamabad for new talks with Tehran, which refuses to confirm its participation.

Published on April 20, 2026, at 9:56 am (Paris) Piotr Smolar

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The war in Iran has driven the transatlantic relationship further apart

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a conference on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without the US, as even Washington's closest European partners, including Germany and Italy, are openly beginning to distance themselves.

Published on April 18, 2026, at 12:56 pm (Paris) Claire Gatinois Louis Imbert

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'After Greenland and Iran, the Hungarian election marks a new step in the transatlantic rift'

The crushing electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, despite massive support from Washington, underscores the failure of Donald Trump's ideological campaign in Europe. The gap is widening inexorably, writes Le Monde columnist Sylvie Kauffmann.

Published on April 16, 2026, at 4:35 pm (Paris) Sylvie Kauffmann

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Why the Hormuz 'mission' led by France and the UK is largely symbolic

Wanting to avoid being drawn into the US's blockade of the key shipping route, Macron and Starmer aim to establish a multilateral and 'strictly defensive' plan to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Published on April 15, 2026, at 11:30 am (Paris) Cécile Ducourtieux Claire Gatinois Elise Vincent

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JD Vance takes the lead in high-stakes negotiations with Iran

The former Ohio lawmaker is the highest-ranking US official to take part in talks with the Islamic Republic since 1979. Although he was opposed to a large-scale war, he would now have to try to find an acceptable outcome, accompanied by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's two usual negotiators.

Published on April 11, 2026, at 11:02 am (Paris) Piotr Smolar

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Macron to meet Pope Leo XIV on Friday to discuss a world in crisis

The French president and the American pontiff are expected to address conflicts in Lebanon and Iran and contemporary issues such as the dangers posed by the development of artificial intelligence.

Published on April 9, 2026, at 4:13 pm (Paris), updated on April 10, 2026, at 5:52 pm Sarah Belouezzane Allan Kaval

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How French hostages Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were released from Iran

Two French nationals detained by Tehran in 2022 were released in exchange for lifting the house arrest of an Iranian woman convicted in France for online incitement to terrorism.

Published on April 8, 2026, at 4:12 am (Paris), updated on April 8, 2026, at 10:10 am Claire Gatinois Ghazal Golshiri

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In Japan and South Korea, Macron advocates for a 'third way'

The French president called for the creation of a 'coalition of independents' committed to a 'third way' set apart from both China and the United States. His counterparts, who value their ties with Washington, responded to his proposal with caution.

Published on April 4, 2026, at 1:10 pm (Paris) Philippe Mesmer

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Israel turns its back on France as Paris struggles to maintain dialogue

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday that it would end its defense imports from France, implying that Paris was no longer counted among the country's allies. This move comes despite French hopes of repairing diplomatic ties damaged by France's recognition of the State of Palestine and amid the ongoing war in Lebanon.

Published on April 1, 2026, at 10:54 am (Paris), updated on April 15, 2026, at 5:05 pm Claire Gatinois Louis Imbert

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