Iran’s FM Begins Tour of Region to Send Friendship Message
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday began a tour of regional countries for what his deputy said is intended to convey the message of friendship and strengthen the regional cooperation.
Speaking to IRIB, Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar are Mr. Zarif’s destinations in the first round of his tour of the neighboring and Persian Gulf littoral countries.
Foreign Minister Zarif has plans to travel to other regional countries as well, Amir Abdollahian noted.
He underlined that Iran deems security of the regional countries as its own security.
“The fight on extremism and violence as well as strengthening of regional ties are the basic necessities for achieving development and sustained regional security,” the deputy minister added.
Zarif’s trip to Kuwait comes against the backdrop of conclusion of nuclear talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Iran and the six powers on July 14 finalized the text of a lasting nuclear deal that would terminate all anti-Iran sanctions after taking effect. The United Nations Security Council also unanimously passed a resolution afterwards, endorsing the comprehensive accord.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on July 18 that the first priority for Tehran following the conclusion of nuclear talks is strengthening ties with the neighboring countries.
“Our first priority after the (nuclear) deal is the enhancement of relations with neighbors, including the friend and brother state of Qatar,” Rouhani said in a telephone conversation with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.