Shamkhani: Entire region in critical situation due to threat of terrorism
The threat and roots of terrorism, such as Takfirism spread and sponsored by certain countries, have created a crisis in the entire region and pose a big obstacle in the way of Muslim states’ growth and development, said the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Speaking in a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and his accompanying delegation in Tehran on Monday, Ali Shamkhani stressed that Iran must find the foreign roots of Saturday’s terrorist attack on a military parade in southwestern Iran that killed at least 25 people, IRNA reported.
Condemning policies adopted by the US and Israel to create discord among neighboring countries in the region, he urged for greater awareness as well as constructive interactions and talks to foil plots by ill-wishers who seek to create conflicts and spread pessimism among regional states.
Shamkhani said joint investments by Iran and Azerbaijan aimed at developing mutual ties will help them strengthen their national securities and make greater progress in view of their cultural, historical and civilizational commonalities as well as numerous joint interests and opportunities for expanding relations.
Describing common borders between the two states as boundaries of ‘peace and friendship’, the top Iranian official noted that the ground is prepared for Iran and Azerbaijan to take a huge leap in term of expanding their all-out relations, particularly in different economic sectors, as they possess all the capacities to this end.
Slamming Washington’s unilateral sanctions on Iran as illegal, he described them as a tool in the hands of US President Donald Trump to take personal revenge from different nations.
On May 8, Trump pulled the US out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed between Iran and P5+1 in July 2015, and reimposed Washington’s unilateral sanctions on the Middle Eastern state.
Shamkhani added past experience shows that such a behavior will fail to be effective and will solely lead to US greater isolation within the international community.
Addressing the same meeting, Usubov denounced the recent act of terror in southwestern Iran and expressed regret over the martyrdom of a number of Iranian citizens in the tragic event.
Describing as effective his talks with Iranian officials, he voiced Azerbaijan’s willingness to increase interactions and all-out cooperation with the Islamic Republic.