TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that NATO expansion is a serious threat to the stability and security of independent countries in different areas.

Talking to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation President Ebrahim Raisi discussed international developments and Vienna talks.

Referring to the Vienna talks, he said that Iran is seeking a lasting agreement.

“Providing a credible guarantee, ending political issues, and the actual lifting of sanctions are prerequisites for reaching a lasting agreement,” President Raisi said.

Referring to Iran’s active cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Russian President stressed the importance of continuing consultations between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Thursday that establishing a ceasefire and focusing on a political and democratic solution is a need of the day.

“The Ukrainian crisis is rooted in NATO provocations. We do not see resorting to war as a solution”, Amirabdollahian wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday.

“Establishing ceasefire and focusing on a political and democratic solution is a necessity”, he added.