Tehran-Riyadh cooperation can resolve regional crises: FM

EghtesadOnline: Iran and Saudi Arabia can help resolution of the crises in the region through cooperation, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday.

News ID: ۷۴۲۸۶۱

19 July 2017

Speaking to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen TV Network, Zarif said the US defied all warnings including those of Iran in case of Iraq war and escalated chaos in the country, IRNA reported.

Iran’s missile program is defensive in nature, he said, adding that Iran has implemented the nuclear deal and it is the US that violates it, he added.

To a question regarding the US accusations against Iran on its ballistic missile program, the Iranian foreign minister said, “According to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the issue is about the missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads; since we do not have any nuclear warheads, we don’t design such missiles.”

“Our missiles are only for defense and we do not buy weapons including luxury ones at the cost of 110 billion dollars; we produce our arms,” he added.

Zarif wished a day that nobody needs to produce and buy arms for defense.

“We use our weapons only for defense and we hope that one day, all countries adopt similar stance and do not use their luxurious weapons except for defense,“ he added.

Zarif rejected claims on Iran military intervention in Syria and Iraq and said that Iran helps are limited to providing consultation assistance.

The foreign minister voiced hope for resolution of crisis in Yemen and Syria.

He referred to Iraqi Kurdistan officials’ comments on holding referendum for separation and said it is a wrong choice.

The impact of holding referendum on the security of Iraq and the region would be catastrophic, Zarif added.

He said, “We (Iran) have told them (the Iraqi Kurds) that it is a wrong decision and I think all the regional states have consensus on the issue.”