Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi expressed his congratulations to centrist Emmanuel Macron, who defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in Sunday's French presidential election.

Axar.az reports citing Mehr news agency.

Welcoming the outcome of the election, Ghasemi congratulated the President-elect Macron, the people and government of France.

He also expressed hope for working with the new President and continuing cooperation with the French government.

Ghasemi voiced his hope that relations between Iran and France would "expand in the new era after this election based on groundwork laid during recent years"

"The bilateral relations should develop in line with the interests of the Iranian and French nations," he said.