Head of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said the words of the West against terrorism contradict its actions, complicating the fight against terrorism.
"What the West says in its fight against terrorism contradicts what it actually does," he said in a meeting with visiting former French prime minister Francois Fillon on Sunday.
"This has undermined the efforts to engage in a real battle against terrorism," IRNA quoted him as saying.
Rafsajani said Iran seeks a free and calm Middle East, and is ready to cooperate will all countries, including France, to turn this vision into reality.
"The roots of terrorism should be dealt with, which needs a long and relatively costly plan," he said.
Fillon said the future of Europe lies in peace and welfare in the Middle East, while "the crisis situation in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya are threatening global stability."
The former official described Iran as an important country that has a major role in settling the region's problems.
"Although major countries in the world have some disagreements, they should work together to manage the situation in unstable countries," Fillon said.
