France, June 21 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France and its European partners would ramp up talks with Iran following more than a week of hostilities between the Islamic republic and Israel.

French, British, German and EU top diplomats held talks in Geneva on Friday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi aimed at de-escalating fighting between Israel and Iran a week after Israel started its bombardment.

They urged Iran to revive diplomatic efforts with the United States to find a solution in the standoff over its nuclear programme, but Tehran warned it could only consider diplomacy once Israel halted its strikes.

On Saturday, Macron said talks will be stepped up in an effort to avoid greater conflict.

"I am ...