by Met Middleson

June 16, 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed today that President Donald Trump has extended a ceasefire offer to both Iran and Israel. The announcement followed Trump’s sudden departure from the G7 summit in Banff, where he left a day early to return to Washington.

“There is indeed an offer to meet and exchange,” Macron told reporters. “An offer was made especially to get a ceasefire and to then kick-start broader discussions.” He called the move a positive development but noted that real progress depends on whether the United States uses its influence, particularly with Israel.

In the same briefing, Macron cautioned against any military effort to topple the Iranian regime. He described such actions as a strategic error and added, “All who have thought that by bombing from the outside you can save a country in spite of itself have always been mistaken.”

Earlier in the day, Trump posted on Truth Social urging civilians in Tehran to evacuate immediately. The post alarmed observers and fueled speculation that the United States might be giving Israel approval for further military escalation.

European diplomats say Iran has signaled interest in returning to nuclear negotiations, but only if Israel halts its current bombing campaign. Whether Trump will push for that remains unclear. Macron’s statements suggest a ceasefire channel has opened, but the outcome now depends on what Trump chooses to do next.