TEHRAN – In a phone call on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the escalating crisis in southern Lebanon, focusing on efforts to halt the ongoing conflict.

The two leaders explored potential pathways to achieve a ceasefire between Hezbollah and the Israeli regime, as violence in the region continues to threaten broader instability.

The conversation centered on the pressing need for de-escalation. Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s long-standing position in favor of a peaceful and secure region, free from war and turmoil. He expressed Iran's openness to any efforts aimed at establishing peace, stating that the Islamic Republic has always supported ceasefires and the cessation of hostilities. 

He emphasized that Iran has exercised restraint in the past, citing the assassination of Martyr Haniyeh in Tehran by the Israeli regime. Pezeshkian noted that despite promises of a ceasefire by Western leaders at the time, Iran held back in hopes of preventing further innocent casualties.

However, he criticized Israel’s continued aggression, stating, "The Zionists, by intensifying their bombings and atrocities in Gaza and expanding their actions to Lebanon, have shown complete disregard for human rights and international law."

Pezeshkian called on Macron and other European leaders to strengthen their efforts in pressuring Israel to stop what he described as genocide and war crimes in both Gaza and Lebanon. He also welcomed the recent steps taken by the French government, which condemned Israeli actions in Lebanon and suspended arms shipments to the Israeli regime, viewing them as positive moves toward peace.