French President Emmanuel Macron has held talks with the Israeli and Iranian presidents, urging Iran to engage in negotiations in good faith.
Published – Temps de lecture: 6min
/2026/03/24/000-a4gz29e-69c312e26123a192095480.jpg "War in the Middle East: Donald Trump says United States negotiating with Iran, Israel wants to take the lead")
Continuing war in the Middle East marked by Israel’s intention to take military control of a vast border area in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, March 24. Donald Trump mentioned ongoing negotiations with Iran, while Macron urged Iran to engage in negotiations in good faith. Tehran also stated that “non-hostile ships” can now pass through the Strait of Hormuz, closed since the conflict began. These are the key events of Tuesday, March 24.
Israel aims to take military control of a vast border area in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army plans to seize an area in southern Lebanon extending from the border to the Litani River, about thirty kilometers further north, to ensure its security, announced Defense Minister Israel Katz. Israeli forces are “maneuvering within Lebanese territory to seize an advanced defense line,” Katz said in a video released by his office. He added that five bridges “used by Hezbollah” had been bombed on the river, and the army will “control the remaining points.” The Defense Minister also stated that the army is intervening to take control of Lebanese villages near the border, viewed as “real terrorist outposts.” France has urged Israel to “refrain” from taking control of southern Lebanon.
Donald Trump says the United States are currently negotiating with Iran
“We are currently in negotiations” with Iran, confirmed Donald Trump, mentioning his envoys Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio participating in the talks. The US president also mentioned that Tehran had offered the United States “a very generous gift” related to hydrocarbons, without providing specifics. Meanwhile, the White House stated that US operations against Iran continue “relentlessly.”
Iran declares “non-hostile ships” can pass through the Strait of Hormuz
“Non-hostile ships (…) under the condition that they do not engage in acts of aggression against Iran or support them, and fully comply with the current safety and security rules, can benefit from a safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent authorities,” stated a communication from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO clarified that this document, dated Sunday, was issued with the request for dissemination by the IMO to its member states and NGOs.
An Iranian nuclear power plant is hit by a strike
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization claimed that the Bushehr nuclear power plant was hit by a strike, causing no damage. The organization blamed the United States and Israel for the attack. While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for “maximum restraint to avoid any risk to nuclear safety during conflict.” The Bushehr civil nuclear power plant in southern Iran had previously been struck by a “projectile,” causing no damage to the infrastructure or injuries, according to the IAEA.
Emmanuel Macron communicates with Israeli and Iranian presidents
The French President discussed the “urgency of preventing a new escalation of conflict in Lebanon” with Isaac Herzog, as Israel seeks to take military control of a vast border area in southern Lebanon. Macron assured France’s full solidarity with the Israeli people against daily attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, which must cease immediately. Macron later called on Iran to “engage in good faith negotiations” for a “de-escalation” of the conflict following a meeting with Iranian counterpart Massoud Pezeshkian.
French Economy Minister mentions a “new oil shock”
The Middle East war is causing a “new oil shock” that could weigh on France’s economic growth, stated French Economy Minister Roland Lescure in the National Assembly. He mentioned that the hypothesis of a temporary crisis, whose economic consequences would fade with the end of bombings, is unfortunately no longer relevant.
