“Iran has always supported the people of this region in confronting the common threat which is terrorism, extremism and sectarianism”, he said.
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“The timing of the announcement is an attempt to prevent any progress in cooperation between Iran and other Gulf states”, Zarif said.
Elaborating on the message of regional visits by Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran seeks deepening friendship and strengthening cooperation with regional countries.
Announcing the arrests, the ministry said the two suspects had admitted receiving the shipment of explosives, automatic weapons and ammunition from Iranian handlers outside Bahrain’s territorial waters. “I openly say the (Bahraini) claims are totally wrong”, he said.
Arabian Gulf countries have been quick to voice concern about the agreement, which will see a progressive easing of global sanctions on Iran in place since 2006. He is due to visit Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq on Sunday.
Britain has briefed businesses on how they can capitalize on the new commercial opportunities in Iran that will now become available in wake of the lifting of severe economic sanctions and the release of assets following Iran’s landmark nuclear deal with world powers.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Hassan Ghashghavi downplayed the ambassador’s recall.
“If it wasn’t for Iran, and would have also fallen to the terrorists (of Islamic State)…”
In a televised speech earlier this month, Khamenei said Iran would continue to support its regional friends despite its recent nuclear deal with world powers, including “the oppressed Palestinian nation, Yemen, Syria, Iraq (and) Bahrain”.
Most Gulf Arab states are apprehensive that Iran’s July 14 accord will hasten detente between Tehran and Washington, emboldening Tehran to improve backing for Middle… “Just as we defended Dahuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah (in Iraqi Kurdistan), if any country in the whole region is a victim of aggression, the Iranian nation will defend the oppressed”, Rouhani added.
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Upon returning to Tehran next week, the Iranian foreign minister is scheduled to host talks with European Union foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini before meeting with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
