US Quds Plan Fans Regional Flames: Iran’s President

The regional situation is such that one should not fan its flames, President Rouhani said in a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in Tehran on Sunday, adding that the US president’s plan to move the US embassy to Quds was a “wrong decision” that adds fuel to the fire in the region.  

Elsewhere, the president highlighted Iran’s constructive role in ensuring sustainable peace and stability and in the war against terrorism in the region, saying Tehran-London negotiations could result in closer cooperation for the sake of regional stability.

He also stressed the need for honoring and implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saying all parties, particularly the Iranian nation, should enjoy the benefits of the nuclear deal.

The visiting British diplomat, for his part, said the JCPOA, the nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany), has opened up good opportunities for developing the ties between Iran and Britain.

British companies are eager to get involved in investment projects in Iran, Johnson said, adding that London is determined to expand its relations with Tehran in all fields.

He also hailed Iran’s positive measures for regional peace and stability and said Britain deems the US plan to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Quds inappropriate.

Donald Trump declared on December 6 that his administration would begin a years-long process of moving the American embassy in Tel Aviv to the city of Quds.

Palestinian leaders had previously warned the move would threaten a two-state solution.

Israel has occupied East Quds since the 1967 Middle East war. It annexed the area in 1980 and sees it as its exclusive domain. Under international law, the area is considered to be occupied territory.