The Iranian presidency website reported a phone call between President Ebrahim Raisi and French President Emmanuel Macron in which they discussed a series of relevant regional and international matters.

During the call, Raisi assured his support for the formation of a strong Lebanese government, capable of providing and preserving the rights of the Lebanese people. He promised to provide humanitarian assistance for Lebanon as it faces its toughest situation in years due to economic sanctions. 

The Iranian president suggested that efforts by Iran, France, and Hezbollah could hasten the formation of the government, which the French president agreed upon, with France playing a crucial role in lifting the sanctions.

Regarding the negotiations surrounding the nuclear deal, Raisi stressed that his country does not oppose fruitful negotiations as long as they aim to abolish the sanctions imposed on Iran.

Discussing Iraq’s situation, recently visited by Macron, the Iranian president said:

“The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been supporting the people of Iraq for establishing peace in the region.”

He reiterated his refusal of diving terrorism into “good and bad” as some countries do, asserting that Iran sees no difference between ISIS in Damascus, ISIS in Iraq, and ISIS in Khorasan.

As for the developments in Afghanistan, the Iranian president restated his views that the US has made a big mistake in Afghanistan as their 20-year occupation has not benefitted the country’s people.

Raisi concluded by stressing that the policies of NATO and the US administration in Afghanistan have failed, with Iran ready to contribute to establishing peace in the country.

In his turn, French President Emmanuel Macron called for the development and deepening of relationships between France and Iran, saying “We should start relations in various political, economic, cultural and regional cooperation areas”.