Macron: Broader Iran deal needed – whatever Trump decides

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French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday morning that the Iran nuclear agreement was of "utmost importance" and must be maintained, but called for a "broader comprehensive deal" to be negotiated.

US President Donald Trump must decide by May 12 whether to continue to waive sanctions on Tehran. If he does not, the US will breach the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by Iran and the P5+1 world powers in 2015.

Read more: What's at stake as Iran deal deadline nears?

Explainer: What is the Iran nuclear deal?

Speaking at a press conference alongside Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney, Macron said he didn't know what Trump would do, but insisted a broader agreement was required – whatever the US president decided.

"I just want to say whatever the decision will be, we will have to prepare such a broader negotiation and a broader deal because I think nobody wants a war in the region, and nobody wants an escalation in terms of tension in the region," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a joint press conference at Kirribilli House in Sydney, May 2, 2018. /VCG Photo

The French president said the "the JCPOA was a very important negotiation and is the best way to control the current nuclear activity of the Iranian government… We negotiated it, we signed it, it is good to respect it."

However, Macron added "my view is it is not sufficient" and said "three additional pillars" should be negotiated.

He identified the sunset clauses under which some of the terms of the deal expire in 2025, additional nuclear inspections, and containment of Iran's activities in the Middle East as areas for negotiation. The French president has also previously spoken of Iran's ballistic missile program as a subject for discussion.

Macron added that he had conversations with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent days, and would continue to work with Britain and France on terms for a broader arrangement as "the only way to progress and stabilize the region."

Turnbull also backed the existing Iran nuclear deal, but refused to speculate on what Trump would decide on May 12.

"We believe the JCPOA is the best option available and we support its continuance," the Australian prime minister said. "After May 12, it's for you to speculate, I'm not going to hypothesize on that."