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IRANIAN president Hassan Rouhani has demanded his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to play a “productive” role in the Middle East by adopting a “realistic and impartial” approach.

The pair spoke by phone after France irked Iran last week by saying that Tehran should be “less aggressive” in the region.

The French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had also called on Iran to clarify its “uncontrolled” ballistic missile strategy after the Islamic republic had come under fire from neighbours including Saudi Arabia over its aggressive tactics.  

Iran’s supreme leader also brushed off claims Tehran was trying to dominate the Middle East after Mr Le Drian expressed concern over the country’s “hegemonic” intentions in the region.

Mr Le Drian said during a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart Adel Jubeir last week: “Iran’s role and the different areas where this country operates worries us. 

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