Tehran a Longstanding Advocate of Regional Dialogue

EghtesadOnline: Iran has always stressed the importance of political dialogue as the only solution to regional issues and is known to have taken the initiative for promoting talks between Middle East countries, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

News ID: ۷۴۸۹۶۳

16 November 2019

"Proposing the establishment of a 'Regional Dialogue Forum' and a 'Non-Aggression Pact', and unveiling the 'Hormuz Peace Endeavor' in the 74th United Nations General Assembly by the Iranian president [Hassan Rouhani] are along this line," Abbas Mousavi said, in response to an Emirati diplomat who had called upon Iran to come to the negotiating table with world powers and Persian Gulf Arab countries, ISNA reported.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a speech in Abu Dhabi on Sunday that Iran needs to engage in international talks over a new deal that would deescalate regional tensions and revive its economy.

Iran signed a nuclear deal with world powers in 2015 but the United States withdrew from it last year and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran to push for a new agreement that would include other areas of American interest, Financial Tribune reported.

Its intensive pressure has troubled the country's economy while other signatories made little or no concrete effort to undo its effects.

Tensions have also risen in the Persian Gulf region after attacks on oil tankers last summer and a major assault on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Washington, along with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, has blamed Iran, which denies any involvement.

"Further escalation at this point serves no one and we strongly believe that there is room for collective diplomacy to succeed," Gargash was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The UAE official added that regional countries would need to be involved in the discussions with Iran.

Iranian Initiatives

Although Iran has set out conditions for renegotiation with the West, it has always welcomed talks and cooperation with regional countries.

The Regional Dialogue Forum and a non-aggression pact are examples of proposals made by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and aimed at healing divisions and preventing conflicts among West Asian governments. He has frequently brought up the subject in his regional tours.

Mousavi highlighted the Hormuz peace plan that calls on all Persian Gulf states as well as the United Nations to work together for ensuring security in the strategic waters.

"This plan underlines that our shared security with neighboring countries is based on adherence to common principles such as avoiding coercion, resolving crises in a peaceful manner, respecting other countries' sovereignty and avoiding intervention in other nations' domestic affairs and their right to self-determination," he said.

Iran hopes, according to the spokesman, that regional countries will embrace the Hormuz peace plan and begin comprehensive talks to end differences and take effective measures to resolve the crises.