Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has accused the West of pressuring Tehran but offered his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, broad cooperation with Europe and support for ‘useful talks’ under the condition of lifting sanctions off Iran.
Macron held his second official phone call with Raisi to discuss the future of talks aiming to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.
“We do not oppose useful negotiations, but the plan and result of negotiations must be the lifting of sanctions against Iran,” Iranian media reported Raisi telling Macron on Sunday.
The Iranian president demanded reinforcing ties with France, especially in terms of economic and trade collaboration, and said that his country is “ready for comprehensive cooperation with Europe, starting with France.”
Besides nuclear negotiations, the two leaders discussed three regional topics.
Regarding Iraq, Raisi reaffirmed that his country’s policy is chiefly based on “supporting the people of Iraq to establish peace and stability in the region.”
“We consider regional cooperation fruitful for reinforcing security and stability,” he told Macron.
Nevertheless, Raisi accused the US of “creating” ISIS.
“Americans must present the public with an explanation around the support given to ISIS,” said Raisi.
Concerning the current situation in Afghanistan, the Iranian president said the US and NATO policy of military intervention has failed, and 20 years of occupation have had no benefit for the Afghan people.
“In the current situation, everyone must help form an inclusive government with the participation of all groups” in the country and let the Afghan people decide their own destiny, he added.
Regarding Lebanon, Raisi expressed Iran’s support for the formation of a strong government that can ensure and protect the rights of the Lebanese.
He said Iran would not withhold any humanitarian aid to Lebanon and voiced Tehran’s readiness to cooperate with France for the progress.