Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he had urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to immediately halt attacks against Middle Eastern countries, either directly or through proxies, including actions in Lebanon and Iraq.

According to France24.com, the statement from Macron came as tensions in the region continued to escalate. US President Donald Trump has called for international support to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route that Iran has blocked, causing a significant 40 percent increase in oil prices.

In a series of developments, black smoke was seen rising over Fujairah following the impact of drone debris on a major Emirati oil storage and export terminal. This incident occurred shortly after Iran's military advised UAE civilians to avoid the port areas.

The US embassy in Iraq was targeted by a drone for the second time since the war began, while the Emirati consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan also experienced a second strike in a week. In response to these events, Iran threatened retaliation following President Trump's claim that US forces "obliterated" military targets on Kharg Island, a critical oil export hub for Iran.

Additionally, Lebanon's health ministry reported that hundreds have been killed in airstrikes since Israel initiated its current offensive against Tehran-backed Hezbollah.