The announcement was made by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hossein Jabari Ansari in his weekly press conference on Monday. He said Iran and Russia’s defense officials have held consultations on the next generation of S300 air defense missiles during the recent visits, adding the details of the talks will be announced to the public in due time.
He then touched upon the upcoming visits of a number of foreign officials to Iran, saying “President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan will visit Tehran tomorrow, while President of Switzerland Johann Schneider-Ammann will visit Iran on 26-28 Feb. On 29 Feb., we will welcome South African President Jacob Zuma.”
The successive visits of leaders from three continents, that is Africa, Europe and Asia, to Iran carries a significant meaning that includes the new round of expansion in Iran’s foreign relations with other countries across the globe, he added.
“The visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Tehran immediately after the visit of his Iranian counterpart Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan is a testament to the two countries’ close relations and the ongoing exchange of views between the two sides,” he said, while adding President Rouhani has received a special message by President Vladimir Putin of Russia on the regional developments and bilateral ties.
In reposone to certain reports that Lebanon has requested Iran for a four-billion dollar loan, Jaberi Ansari said “as of now, we have received no official request from Lebanese authorities on this issue, but we are ready to help Lebanon’s Army against terrorism if they need it.”
On Iran-Turkey relations, he said “our political relations are at the highest level and more efforts are being made to further expand cooperation in economic areas between the two countries.”
To a question on Turkey’s claim that the recent explosions in Ankara were perpetrated by PKK, Jaberi Ansari said “the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its condemnation of the attacks or any other terrorist acts. The spread of terrorists’ activities show terrorism is a regional and global issue which requires close cooperation among all countries for it to be completely eradicated.”
He went on to add that the Saudi regime’s measures in support of terrorism have further intensified insecurity in the world, and Saudis’ attempts to place the blame on others will have no effect on changing the world’s already-shaped public opinion about the kingdom.
About the visit of Azeri President Aliyev on Tuesday and its potential impact on the oil price, he said “Iran welcomes any effort for returning oil to a reasonable price. We hope those countries that had increased their oil production when Iran was still under sanctions would now decrease production to maintain the balance.”
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