Aug 7, 2017, 3:57 PM

FM spox:

Iran to continue defense, military policies unaltered

Iran to continue defense, military policies unaltered

TEHRAN, Aug. 07 (MNA) – Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi attended a weekly press conference on Monday and answered the questions raised by the media staff on regional and international issues.

Ghasemi underlined that any decision regarding the act of violating the JCPOA can only be taken through special board monitoring implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

He pointed to the presence of more than 100 countries and 9 international organizations in the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president and 140 meetings between Iranian and foreign officials on the sidelines of the event, saying it proves the failure of Iranophobia and the emerge of Persophilia.

“The number of attendants were unprecedented since the victory of Islamic Revolution showing a new global approach toward Iran,” he added.

He underlined that the presence of foreign delegations in Tehran during President Rouhani's inaugural ceremony was an opportunity for both sides to be able to discuss political, economic, regional and international issues.

Pointing to the controversies surrounding the launch of Simorgh satellite carrier, Ghasemi said the Islamic Republic will continue to pursue its policy in the defense and military sectors, while acknowledging that the country is in a new phase of rocket and space science and research. "There has been mistrust between US and Iran and American officials' recent remarks and moves make the wall of distrust between Iran and the US higher than before," he added.

Iran's spokesman, criticizing US double standard policy, noted that "they always try to have new scientific and technical issues at their disposal, and with political intentions, they deprive others of having it, calling the achievement unnecessary and some times dangerous."

He reminded the recent remarks made by the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei about engagement with the world, noting that Iran has always tried to follow a peaceful policy centering on interaction with the world.

Pointing to the emergency meeting of the OIC in Istanbul, Ghasemi said Mr. Zarif evaluated the event as good and promising, where he achieved opportunity to consult with some of the officials of the Islamic countries; "the meeting was brief, but I think that at that moment, it was necessary, given the inherent duty and objectives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the Palestinian issue once again, and the Islamic community could express its support for the cause of Palestinian people," he added.

In response to a question whether Saudi delegation will visit Tehran to visit diplomatic sites, Ghasemi said based on an agreement reached between the two countries, a delegation from Saudi Arabia is slated to travel to Iran to visit diplomatic sites and, in turn, there's a delegation heading from Iran to Saudi Arabia.

Iranian spokesman also commented on the reopening of the European Union office in Tehran, saying that the issue is still on the agenda of both sides and is going through its natural process, and we will announce the news whenever it comes to light and its permission is issued.

Asked about the shaking hands of the two foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the OIC meeting, Ghasemi said, the move was within "diplomatic conventions" and a sign of Zarif’s mutual respect to and long-standing friendship with Saudi counterpart Jubeir, but it does not necessarily indicate a change of Saudi behavior towards Iran, however we welcome any change in Saudi policies towards the Islamic Republic to cooperate over the establishment of peace and stability in the region.  

Pointing to the Astana peace talks, Ghasemi said “we hope for the establishment of ceasefire, security and stability in Syria, and that any country helps in this matter stands beside us.”

LR/4052206

News ID 126962

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