Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call on Monday that Tehran is serious about providing security and maintaining a balance of deterrence in the region, while Macron invited him to return to the Vienna talks on reviving the nuclear deal.
And Iranian media quoted Raisi as saying - during the call - that the increasing US sanctions and the failure of European countries to abide by their commitments brought the nuclear agreement to what it is today.
He added that securing the rights of Iranians is a priority that cannot be overridden in any future negotiations.
Regarding navigation in the region, Raisi said that Iran will clearly and vigorously confront any actions that destabilize the security and stability of the Gulf waters and the Sea of Oman, and stressed that his country is serious about securing stability in that region and maintaining the existing "deterrence balance".
On the Lebanese issue, the two presidents informed Macron that Iran welcomes the French initiative and stands with any action that supports the security and stability of Lebanon, as he put it.
For its part, the Elysee Palace issued a statement after the call, saying that President Macron urged Iran to return to the Vienna talks aimed at reviving the nuclear agreement signed between Iran and world powers in 2015.