Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, played at Parc des Princes on April 9, 2026. The French side controlled the match from start to finish, leaving Arne Slot’s team struggling to find rhythm. Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 11th minute after Ousmane Dembele’s initial effort was blocked. Despite several chances, PSG could not extend their lead before halftime as Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made key saves.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with PSG maintaining attacking pressure. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead in the 65th minute from a precise pass by Joao Neves, dribbling past defenders and the goalkeeper to score a standout goal. PSG held 74 percent possession and took 18 shots, six on target, while Liverpool managed only three attempts without a single shot on goal. A penalty decision for PSG was overturned after VAR review.

This defeat marked Liverpool’s third consecutive loss across all competitions. They now face a tough challenge in the return leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that including Lebanon in the ceasefire agreement is essential for establishing lasting and credible peace in the Middle East. According to Al Jazeera, Macron told Iranian and US leaders that the ceasefire was the best possible decision and that Lebanon’s inclusion represented the most effective path toward peace.

He emphasized that this inclusion is a necessary condition for making the ceasefire credible and sustainable. Macron also said that any final agreement should address Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, its regional policies, and issues related to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron has long opposed military action against Iran and previously described proposals for joint military operations to open the Strait of Hormuz as unrealistic.

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a very positive step. However, he cautioned that the situation in Lebanon remains extremely critical and urged that the country be included within the scope of the ceasefire agreement.

According to an Al Jazeera report cited in the source, Macron has long emphasized the importance of ending conflict in Lebanon and has repeatedly called for preventing the nation from sliding further into violence and instability. He stated that achieving lasting peace in the Middle East requires a comprehensive approach that considers all regional conflicts.

Macron’s remarks reflect France’s continued diplomatic engagement in Middle Eastern stability and its concern over Lebanon’s fragile security environment amid broader regional tensions.

France has finalized the sale of its remaining gold holdings stored at the U.S. Federal Reserve, completing a long-term initiative to repatriate and modernize its gold reserves. The Banque de France earned nearly 13 billion euros, or about $15 billion, after upgrading 129 tonnes of gold between July 2025 and January 2026 and replacing them with new, compliant bars now stored in Paris. The central bank stated that the move was a practical financial decision, not a political one.

By consolidating its reserves in Paris and adopting modern-standard bars, France has made its gold easier to manage and trade internationally. The transaction, which represented about 5 percent of France’s total 2,437-tonne reserve, took advantage of high gold prices and favorable market conditions. Instead of refining and transporting the old bars, the bank purchased equivalent new gold in Europe, maintaining the overall reserve size.

According to Reuters, the Banque de France reported 11 billion euros in exceptional foreign exchange income in 2025, with total gains reaching nearly 13 billion euros after 2026 transactions. The bank plans to upgrade an additional 134 tonnes of gold to international standards by 2028.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the formation of an 'Alliance of Freedom' that would remain independent from the influence of the United States and China. Speaking at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, Macron emphasized the need for a coalition based on shared commitments to international law, democracy, and climate action. He mentioned potential participation from countries such as South Korea, Japan, Brazil, India, Australia, and Canada.

Macron criticized overreliance on military power and questioned the role of the United States in West Asia, arguing that lasting solutions cannot be achieved solely through bombings or military operations. His remarks came as France opposed a United Nations Security Council proposal authorizing possible military action against Iran, leading to tensions with Israel after Paris declined to support the US-Israeli stance.

Analysts cited in the report view Macron’s position as an attempt to establish a new balance in global politics, enabling middle powers to assert greater strategic autonomy.

France has announced that it will not provide any offensive weapons to Israel, citing the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran. The statement was reported by PressTV on Sunday. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin clarified in a social media post that France is not supplying arms to Israel. She explained that France has only authorized the sale of certain components used in air defense systems, such as projectiles for the Iron Dome, and some equipment also used by the French armed forces.

A few days earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France would not join any aggression against Iran on behalf of the United States or Israel. The announcement underscores France’s cautious stance in the escalating regional situation.

The decision reflects France’s effort to maintain a balanced position in the Middle East while avoiding direct involvement in potential military confrontations linked to Iran.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that war or military strikes cannot provide a lasting solution to Iran’s nuclear issue. Speaking during his visit to South Korea, Macron emphasized that military action by the United States or Israel would not permanently resolve the crisis and instead called for diplomatic engagement.

He warned that without a clear framework for diplomatic and technical discussions, the situation could deteriorate again within months or years. Macron also dismissed proposals for a military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as unrealistic, citing the high risks involved. He noted that such actions would expose vessels in the area to threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which possesses ballistic missiles and significant military capabilities.

Macron’s remarks highlight France’s continued preference for negotiation over confrontation in addressing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and regional security.

French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for comments Trump made about Macron’s wife during a private luncheon in Washington. Speaking to reporters in South Korea on Thursday, Macron described the remarks as “neither refined nor dignified” and said they were not worth responding to, signaling his displeasure.

A White House video showed Trump mocking Macron and his wife Brigitte’s French accent and making sarcastic references to a past incident, claiming she treated him poorly. The comments sparked widespread reaction in France, where political leaders denounced Trump’s behavior as unacceptable. National Assembly Speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet called the remarks undignified and irresponsible given the gravity of global affairs.

The controversy emerged amid rising international tensions over Iran and ongoing discussions about NATO’s role, adding further strain to diplomatic discourse between the allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused France of closing its airspace to American military aircraft bound for Israel. According to an Al Jazeera report on March 31, Trump stated on social media that France acted in a 'very uncooperative' manner by denying access at a time when a U.S. operation targeting a senior Iranian official was underway.

Reuters earlier reported that France’s refusal occurred over the weekend, marking its first such action since the start of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The report also noted that Spain had previously taken a similar stance. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced on March 30 that Spain would not allow its airspace or military bases to be used for any Iran-related military operations.

Reuters added that the Spanish decision means U.S. military aircraft heading to the Middle East must now avoid Spanish airspace, though exceptions may apply in emergencies. Spain’s finance minister said the move aligns with the government’s policy of not supporting or participating in a war deemed unilateral and contrary to international law.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump alleged in a Truth Social post that France denied airspace access to planes carrying military equipment bound for Israel. He claimed that France refused to allow the aircraft to use its airspace, describing the move as unhelpful.

Trump further stated that France acted 'very unhelpfully' regarding a person he described as an Iranian 'butcher' who had been 'successfully eliminated.' His post concluded with a warning that the United States would remember France’s actions.

The post reflects Trump’s criticism of France’s stance amid ongoing tensions involving Israel and Iran, though no official French response was mentioned in the source.

French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that France’s position in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is entirely defensive. In an interview with C-News, she emphasized that France’s strategy in the Middle East is centered on diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation in the region.

Vautrin highlighted that France’s primary goal is to pursue diplomatic initiatives as the only way to ensure peace, particularly in response to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. She noted that many countries are concerned about the situation and that finding a resolution is of utmost importance.

The minister’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, including reports of deadly attacks in Iran’s Qom city and continued threats of intensified military action by Israel.

The head of France’s armed forces held a video conference with representatives from 35 countries to discuss ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. France’s defense ministry confirmed the meeting in a statement but did not specify which countries participated. The talks focused on restoring maritime traffic through the vital waterway once regional tensions subside.

According to the ministry, the initiative is entirely defensive and separate from ongoing military operations in the Middle East. The effort aims to ensure safe navigation through the strait, which has been closed due to heightened conflict in the region.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transport route, has significantly disrupted international trade and energy supplies, prompting urgent diplomatic and security discussions among affected nations.

French energy company TotalEnergies has withdrawn around 1,300 employees from the Middle East as tensions rise between Iran, Israel, and the United States, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The company’s CEO, Patrick Pouyanné, said the workers were relocated from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

Pouyanné explained that only a small number of local employees and contractors remain to maintain essential operations. The decision was made due to the deteriorating security situation in the region, with the company prioritizing the safety of its personnel.

The move underscores growing concerns among international firms operating in the Middle East as the regional conflict intensifies, potentially affecting energy operations and supply stability.

Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin has died at the age of 88, his family announced on Monday. The news was reported by AFP from Paris, stating that Jospin passed away on Sunday. He served as France’s prime minister from 1997 to 2002 and was a prominent leader of the Socialist Party.

According to his family, Jospin underwent a serious surgical operation in January, though no further details were provided about his health condition or the cause of death. His tenure as prime minister was marked by his leadership within France’s socialist movement and his role in national politics during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Further information about funeral arrangements or official tributes has not yet been released.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will never participate in any military operation aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. He made the statement on Tuesday at the start of a cabinet meeting focused on the Middle East conflict. Macron emphasized that France would not take part in any such mission while the ongoing war between Iran, the United States, and Israel continues.

He explained that Paris is instead working to form an international coalition to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait once the war ends. Macron reiterated that France is not a party to the current conflict and will only consider taking responsibility for escort or security arrangements for maritime traffic when the situation calms and bombing stops.

According to Macron, France’s approach is to wait for stability before engaging in cooperative efforts to restore safe navigation in the region.