Iran ready to clear up misunderstandings with Arab states: Tehran envoy to Paris

As Reported by Qods News Agency (Qodsna) Bahram Qassemi made the remarks while addressing a conference titled ‘Reducing Tensions in the Persian Gulf,’ which was held at the French Senate on Monday, according to a Twitter post by Iran’s embassy in Paris.

“We are and have been ready to interact, negotiate and clear misunderstandings with certain Persian Gulf littoral states,” France Qassemi said.

The Iranian official criticized some regional states for their failure “to respond to the benevolent call of Iran to reduce tension and make effort to consolidate peace and stability in the region.”

Qassemi was echoing comments by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who said during a visit to Iraq on Sunday that Iran had offered to sign non-aggression agreements with all countries in the Persian Gulf region, and that Tehran would welcome any proposals for dialog and de-escalation.

Tehran’s envoy to Paris further said Iran has repeatedly voiced its preparedness to sign a non-aggression pact with Persian Gulf Arab states in an effort to “build trust and help allay concerns.”

Establishing peace and security in the region could be guaranteed when the interests of all Persian Gulf states are taken into consideration, he said.

Describing the Persian Gulf as “the most important strategic region in the globe,” Qassemi warned that any insecurity and instability in this corner would rapidly affect the whole world.

“Iran firmly believes that no country can guarantee its peace, stability and security single-handedly,” he said. Lasting peace, the official added, requires collective efforts and firm determination on the part of all regional countries.

Elsewhere, Qassemi stressed the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, adding that the country is not seeking nuclear weapons, which Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has banned in a fatwa (religious decree).

“Nuclear weapons have never had any place in the defense doctrine of the Islamic Republic,” he said.

Qassemi pointed to 14 consecutive reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirming Tehran’s adherence to its side of a 2015 multinational nuclear deal.

Using peaceful nuclear technology — which has been emphasized in the nuclear deal— is one of Iran’s “inalienable rights,” he stressed.