Saudi Tries to Gain Its Goals by Creating Iranophobia in Middle East: Zarif

Tue Jan 19, 2016 08:07:59

Saudi Arabia tries to achieve its regional goals by promoting “Iranophobia” and creating tensions in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says.

Zarif made the remarks during an interview broadcast on Iranian TV on Monday, adding that the Saudis’ actions result from their fear over the implementation of Iran's nuclear agreement with world powers.

Zarif noted that among other actions, Saudi Arabia executed top Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and reduced oil prices to stoke regional tensions.

“Cutting oil prices harmed them more than it harmed us,” he said, adding that the “Saudis cannot further their policies by propagating Iranophoic lies.”

Iran does not seek to create regional tensions and has never done so, he noted, adding that, “As a powerful country, Iran will move past all these desperate actions” but will not allow anybody to disrespect its people.

“Enmity with Iran has never had any benefits for anyone, including the regional powers, and the interest of our friends in the region is in treading the path of friendship,” he stated.

Also foreign minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said on Monday that cooperation based on diplomacy is the solution to regional problems.

Addressing a meeting, attended by foreign ambassadors and heads of Iranian diplomatic offices, Zarif said “What Iranian people rightly proved to the world people was that pressures and sanctions are not effective.”

Outlining the opportunities the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action made available to Iran, Zarif said, “We see golden opportunities for various economic and industrial companies and institutions worldwide for investment and exchange of technology; the new trend will provide abundant benefits for all countries.”

Referring to the ongoing developments in Persian Gulf, Zarif said, “We want establishment of security and stability in the Persian Gulf region; we consider any tension contrary to security and stability of Iran and the region.”

He hoped that through promotion of brotherly cooperation, based on understanding, good intention, talks and wise diplomacy with all neighbors, stability and security in the Persian Gulf will be strengthened.

On Saturday, Zarif and European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini announced that sanctions imposed on Tehran have been lifted as the nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), came into force after the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran had met its commitments under the historic deal.

Iran and the P5+1 countries -- the United States, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany -- finalized the JCPOA in Vienna on July 14, 2015.

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