French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he had encouraged US President Donald Trump to continue efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement with Iran, saying such a deal could help end the conflict in the Middle East and support long-term regional stability.

In a phone call on Sunday night, Macron said he welcomed Trump’s push to reach an agreement between Washington and Tehran.

“I welcomed the determined efforts he is making to swiftly reach an agreement between the United States and Iran, which represents a unique opportunity to build a new security framework that brings together all the parties concerned, in order to allow for lasting stabilisation of the region,” Macron said in a post on X.

Tehran has said that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a key condition for any agreement with Washington, after Israel’s military seized a medieval castle in southern Lebanon as it expands ground operations against the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Macron said he also discussed Lebanon during the call with Trump.

“I also welcomed President Trump’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and underscored the importance of a robust ceasefire and of our collective support for the Lebanese authorities,” Macron wrote.