French President Emmanuel Macron is facing a fresh wave of controversy after an explosive new French book made sensational claims about alleged private exchanges with Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani. Written by journalist Florian Tardif, the book has triggered intense political debate across France, putting Macron’s marriage with Brigitte Macron back under the media spotlight. The book alleges that Macron and Farahani shared a months-long platonic connection and claims the French President once described the actress as “very pretty” in private exchanges. It further alleges that Brigitte was furious after reportedly discovering messages on the President’s phone, while also linking the controversy to a viral public moment involving the French First Lady. However, no evidence has emerged supporting claims of a romantic relationship between Emmanuel Macron and Golshifteh Farahani and Brigitte Macron’s team has strongly denied allegations surrounding phone checks and airport incidents mentioned in the book. WATCH

Britain has deployed the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon toward West Asia as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate. The move comes as the UK and France discuss a possible multinational naval mission aimed at protecting global shipping routes through one of the world’s most critical trade corridors. France has already dispatched the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the region, while Iran has warned London and Paris that sending “extra-regional destroyers” could further escalate the crisis.