Putin, Macron discuss Middle East situation in context of Iranian-Israeli confrontation, U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites - Kremlin

MOSCOW. July 1 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron by phone, the Kremlin press service said.

"The heads of state discussed the Middle East situation in detail in the context of the Iranian-Israeli confrontation and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites," the press service said.

Putin and Macron "noted the special responsibility of Russia and France as permanent members of the UN Security Council for the provision of peace and security, including in the Middle East, and the preservation of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime," it said.

"The importance of respecting the lawful right of Tehran to peaceful nuclear energy and its continued fulfillment of the obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including cooperation with the IAEA, was underlined in that connection," the press service said.

"The leaders called for settling the crisis around the Iranian nuclear program and resolving other disagreements in the Middle East exclusively by political and diplomatic means," it said.

It was agreed to stay in contact for possible coordination of the stances, the press service said.

The Putin-Macron call "was substantive," it said.

Putin and Macron spoke by phone before this call in September 2022.