Iran, France urge boost of ties
23 May 2017 - Iran welcomes cooperation at all levels to bring stability to the Middle East, President Hassan Rouhani told his French counterpart.
"The Islamic Republic is ready for cooperation in all levels with other countries, including France, to fight against terrorism and to resolve the Syrian crisis," Rouhani said in a telephone call made by Emmanuel Macron on Monday IRNA reported.
Rouhani told France's new president he was hopeful that Europe would not copy US President Donald Trump's stance against Iran.
"We should bring peace and stability back to the region. We hope Europe does not fall into the trap of countries that promote their wrong interpretations of the region," Rouhani said in reference to the US.
Rouhani said at a news conference on Monday that stability could not be achieved in the Middle East without Tehran's help.
The French leader had called to congratulate him on being reelected in Friday’s presidential vote.
Rouhani added that he was positive that with more cooperation, better conditions can be established for the people of the region.
The newly re-elected Iranian president also stressed that Iran has been faithful to all its commitments under a landmark nuclear deal with world powers, and will spare no effort towards a world without nuclear arms.
Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia – plus Germany signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016. Under the agreement, Iran accepted to put limitations on its program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.
Macron stressed the importance of the JCPOA and noted that supporting the historic nuclear deal was important for developing mutual ties.
Iran’s important role in pacification
France called for further political ties with Iran as it has an "important role in the pacification" of the region.
French Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister "Jean-Yves Le Drian will work towards developing political dialogue that should be part of a constructive approach with regard to solving regional crises".
France's stance is contradictory to comments made by Trump, who accused Tehran of funding terrorism and stoking the fires of sectarian conflict in the region, and called on all nations to work towards isolating Iran.
Saudi Arabia main sponsor of terrorism
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has reacted to Trump's remarks, and urged US to stop supplying arms to Saudi Arabia, which is one of the “main sponsors of terrorism.”
"Unfortunately, under the hostile and aggressive policies of the American statesmen, we are witnessing a renewed strengthening of terrorist groups in the region and miscalculation of the dictatorships which support these groups," he said.
"Once again, by his meddlesome and baseless claims about Iran, the American president tried to encourage the countries of the region to purchase more arms by spreading Iranophobia," he added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also noted that Trump's recent anti-Tehran remarks were aimed at "milking" Saudi Arabia.
"Iran – fresh from real elections – attacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation. Foreign Policy or simply milking KSA of $480B?" Zarif tweeted on Sunday.