Emmanuel Macron has been blasted for being “naive’, after holding talks with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. The French President spoke with his Iranian counterpart on Sunday, the first time since the end of the “12-day war” with Israel.
In a post to his social media channel later, Macron urged Iran to “maintain the ceasefire, in order to help restore peace to the Middle East.” He also called on Tehran “to return to the negotiating table to discuss and address nuclear and ballistic missile issues”. Despite his pleas, Iran confirmed it was ending all cooperation with the UN nuclear inspectorate, including banning its members from visiting any of its nuclear sites.
British-Iranian activist Ellie Borhan launched a scathing criticism of Macron’s botched diplomacy, claiming attempts to appease Tehran would lead to more deaths – including those of British citizens.
“A Government that kills their own people is not trustworthy,” she said.
“When they are not a democratic regime, you cannot expect a democratic solution. You cannot be so naïve to say ‘Let’s talk’. If you do, you will only witness more people losing their lives.
“This will not just be innocent people in Iran – this will be innocent people in the UK, Europe and the US if Iran is emboldened.”
Iran’s brutal regime of mullahs has overseen a widespread campaign of terror and repression of internal dissent.
The United Nations claims that at least 901 people were executed in 2024, including about 40 in a single week in December.
A Norway-based Iran Human Rights group (IHRNGO) has also said that there has been a 75% increase in executions in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Macron – who is leading the European diplomatic efforts on Iran – has criticised the Israeli and US bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities, insisting only political negotiations can achieve lasting peace.
Ms Borhan dismissed the idea that Iran can be trusted to keep its word in the event of any agreement being reached.
“This dictatorship has never stayed true or respected any negotiation or diplomacy. Every time we have an uprising they kill their own people. Where is Macron then? How can he trust this government?”
She called for Western leaders to flex their muscles and apply “maximum pressure” to the regime.
“We’ve seen sanctions but that is not enough, we need to put more pressure on the Islamic Republic,” she added.
Ms Borhan’s mother and brother remain in Iran and have been accused of spying for Israel, which the activist believes is due to her activism in the UK.
Macron previously took aim at Donald Trump after US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning they will only increase the threat of Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.