TEHRAN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday exchanged views on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and the removal of sanctions.

In a phone call that lasted for an hour, Pezeshkian expressed Iran's readiness to improve ties with France based on honesty and mutual confidence-building, according to a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office.

Pezeshkian expressed Iran's preparedness for the continuation of the nuclear talks within the agreed framework to remove the sanctions on Tehran, saying the fulfillment of the commitments by all sides and the cessation of the "cruel" pressure and sanctions against Iranians were the least Iran expects from a nuclear agreement and a favorable ground for advancing the negotiations.

He said Iran had fulfilled all its commitments under the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as testified by the International Atomic Energy Agency in more than 15 reports, noting that however, the Americans did not honor their commitments, unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 and imposed additional cruel sanctions on the Iranian people.

ALSO READ: Teheran, Berlin discuss closure of Islamic centers in Germany

The Iranian president also expressed grave concern over the escalation of tension at Lebanon's southern borders with Israel, warning that attacking Lebanon would be a "big mistake" that would lead to heavy repercussions for Israel.

The French president, for his part, congratulated Pezeshkian on his election as Iran's president.

Macron welcomed the Iranian president's approach to promote interactions and maintain balance in the country's foreign policy, expressing hope that Iran's relations with France and other European states would further improve during Pezeshkian's term.

ALSO READ: Iran's supreme leader endorses Pezeshkian as new president

The two sides also discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the developments in Gaza.

Pezeshkian was announced as Iran's next president on July 6 following his victory in a presidential runoff. He was officially endorsed by the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as Iran's ninth president on Sunday.