Macron, Araqchi Explore Ways of Easing Regional Tensions

French President Emmanuel Macron and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Tuesday discussed ways of finding solutions to defuse regional tensions and preserve the 2015 nuclear deal as a major diplomatic achievement. 
Araqchi, who was in Paris as a special representative of President Hassan Rouhani, stressed the need to draw on the potential of diplomacy to pave the way for peace and security worldwide, ISNA reported. 
He also delivered Rouhani's written message to Macron who is at the forefront of international diplomatic efforts to deescalate tensions fueled by the Tehran-Washington conflict. 
US President Donald Trump pulled out of Iran's nuclear deal last year and reimposed harsh sanctions on Tehran, forcing the country to take reciprocal action after a year of “strategic patience” by scaling back its commitments under the accord.