Pezeshkian discusses with Macron Lebanon ceasefire prospects
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian holds a talk with his French counterpart on the prospects of a ceasefire in Lebanon amid "Israel's" continued aggression.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Friday, October 11, 2024. (AP)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed that the Islamic Republic wishes for a safe and stable region, free from wars and tensions, emphasizing that Iran supports any initiative aimed at establishing peace, a ceasefire, and ending regional conflicts.
Pezeshkian made these remarks during a phone call with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, where they discussed mechanisms for halting the ongoing confrontations and enforcing a ceasefire amid the dangerous escalation in southern Lebanon, according to Iran's official news agency, IRNA.
In his conversation with Macron, Pezeshkian said, "We exercised restraint, even after the cowardly assassination of Hamas' political leader, martyr Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, and after receiving promises from Western leaders to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza."
He added that the "Zionists intensified their bombings and crimes in Gaza, expanding the scale of their aggression," showing that they "adhere to neither humanitarian standards nor international laws."
The Iranian president urged France and other European nations to "pressure the Zionist entity to put an end to the genocide it is committing in Gaza and Lebanon."
Later, a statement from the Iranian presidency reported that both leaders discussed the ceasefire between Hezbollah and the Israeli entity. Macron called for efforts by European leaders to "compel Israel to stop its genocidal crimes" and prevent further massacres in Gaza and Lebanon.
The statement also mentioned that Pezeshkian described France's condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon as "positive."
Iran warns against aggression
Earlier, Iran's mission to the United Nations issued a statement warning the US that Iran "will retaliate if Israel responds to its missile attack." The mission also noted that Tehran and Washington had exchanged messages following the attack, using the Swiss embassy in Tehran as a mediator.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran is ready to take stronger defensive measures if faced with aggression.
In letters addressed to foreign ministers worldwide, Araghchi condemned the ongoing Israeli occupation's war on Gaza and Lebanon, citing the resulting killing and displacement of civilians, as well as the destruction of infrastructure. The Iranian FM described these actions as severe threats to both regional and global peace, labeling them as war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
"The unlimited impunity Israel enjoys has made the regime expand its attacks on Lebanon, including massive airstrikes on residential areas using US-made bunker-buster bombs," read the letter, stressing the continued failure of the UN Security Council to fulfill its duties.
Araghchi also underscored that this failure has not only allowed for the war to continue but rather also emboldened the Israeli occupation as it continues to commit its crimes.
In his letters, the Iranian Foreign Minister highlighted Iran's missile strike on Israeli military targets on October 1. He explained that this action came after weeks of restraint aimed at facilitating a ceasefire in Gaza. Araghchi stressed that this response underscores Iran’s sense of responsibility toward maintaining international peace and security.
"If necessary, the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to take more and stronger defensive measures against any aggressive action and will not hesitate in this regard," he stressed. The top Iranian diplomat also urged collective efforts, on the diplomatic level, to force "Israel" to end its aggression on civilians in both Palestine and Lebanon.
