TEHRAN – If the U.S. and Western countries genuinely wish to prevent war in West Asia, they must immediately halt arms sales and support for Israel, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during a Wednesday phone call. 

After Macron requested that Iran refrain from retaliation for the assassination of former Hamas Political Chief Ismail Haniyeh to help “de-escalate tensions” and prevent war in the region, Pezeshkian said it is Israel that’s trying to escalate tensions and ignite a conflagration. 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently played a crucial role in fostering peace, stability, and security regionally and globally, while also working to prevent conflict and war. However, the Israeli regime, through its criminal and terrorist acts against the vulnerable people of Gaza, including the assassination of martyr Haniya, who was an official guest of Iran, is attempting to ignite conflict in the region,” he said before asking Macron to “pressure the Zionist regime to stop its genocidal actions and assaults on Gaza, and agree to a ceasefire.” 

“Instead of condemning these actions, the United States and Western countries have supported Israel in its crimes, including acts of genocide and terrorism,” he added. 

Pezeshkian emphasized that as long as the Israeli regime continues its acts of genocide, crime, and terrorism with the backing of political, financial, military, and media support from the U.S. and Western nations, neither the region nor the world will experience stability, security, or peace. 

“The U.S. and its allies, with their contradictory and dual approach, continue to support a regime that disregards international laws and has engaged in numerous criminal actions in the region, while ironically urging the victims of these actions to remain silent and exercise restraint,” the Iranian president stated.