BRUSSELS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he hopes the United States and Iran can establish "direct discussions," and urged all sides to return to negotiations and dialogue to ease tensions in the Middle East.

France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks to journalists as he arrives for a EU Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 19, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Speaking to reporters in Brussels ahead of a European Council meeting, Macron said energy facilities in several Gulf countries had been hit for the first time in the conflict, calling the strike escalation "reckless."

He said the situation in the Middle East could have a lasting impact on energy production capacity and had already pushed up oil and natural gas prices.

In a message posted on social media on early Thursday, Macron said he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, following strikes that had hit gas production facilities in Iran and Qatar, noting that it was in the common interest to implement without delay a moratorium on such strikes.

He stressed that civilian populations and their essential needs, as well as the security of energy supplies, must be protected from military escalation.

On Wednesday, the Israeli air force struck Iran's major natural gas facility, located in Bushehr in the south of the country. Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that the strike was carried out in coordination with the U.S. side.