France, June 20 -- France has named career diplomat Pierre Cochard as its new ambassador to Iran, as European governments push to revive nuclear talks and prevent a wider regional war. His appointment comes amid growing fears for the safety of two French citizens still jailed in Tehran, and just over a week after Israeli air strikes targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites.

Cochard, 63, has held senior positions in some of France's most strategically important embassies. Before his new posting, announced on Thursday, Cochard was France's ambassador to Serbia.

He takes over from Nicolas Roche, who has moved on to lead France's national security and cyber defence agency.

Tehran is familiar ground for Cochard. He first worked at the Fr...