TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reminded regional states, Saudi Arabia in particular, of their responsibility to contribute to peace in the Middle East, dismissing the idea of military approaches to conflicts in Yemen, Iraq and Syria.

Speaking to reporters at the last moments of his visit to India on Friday, Zarif underlined that settlement of the regional woes needs collective cooperation among, and only among, the regional countries, including Saudi Arabia.

Asked about Iran’s plan to help resolve crises in Syria and Yemen, the minister reiterated that there exists no military solution to the conflicts in Yemen.
In order for peace to prevail in the region, all countries, including Saudi Arabia, should join hands, he added.

The top Iranian diplomat, however, made it clear that the Zionist regime of Israel could never be part of the solution, since the “racist and usurper” regime is itself the main problem of the region.

“The six Arab littoral countries of the Persian Gulf and the Islamic Republic of Iran should hold talks to find rational solutions to the regional problems on the basis of respect for the public will and without interference in the internal affairs of each other,” Zarif explained.

He also touched upon Iran-India bilateral relations, saying there are now good grounds for the expansion of ties between the two members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

By leaving India, Zarif wrapped up another round of tour of the regional countries, which also took him earlier to Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan.

His trips came in the wake of the conclusion of nuclear talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

Iran and the six powers on July 14 finalized the text of a lasting nuclear deal that would terminate all anti-Iran sanctions after taking effect. The United Nations Security Council also unanimously passed a resolution afterwards, endorsing the comprehensive accord.

By Tasnim News Agency