Barzani, Macron stress ‘deescalation’, ‘diplomatic avenues’ in phone call

ERBIL — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received a phone call Tuesday from French President Emmanuel Macron, during which the two leaders discussed the ongoing war between the United States, Israel and Iran.

According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, both sides voiced “concerns over escalating tensions” and stressed the importance of preserving peace and stability.

They also emphasized “the importance of enhancing international efforts to deescalate the situation and to address the issues through peaceful and diplomatic avenues,” the statement said.

Since the escalation of the U.S.–Israel war on Iran that began with coordinated strikes on Iranian territory on Feb. 28, the conflict has expanded across the Middle East. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. and allied positions, and various Iran-aligned Iraqi militias — including groups under umbrellas such as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Saraya Awliya al-Dam — have claimed responsibility for drone and aerial attacks inside Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.