Iran’s foreign minister has warned about the spread of regional terrorism and extremism beyond the Middle East region.
In a meeting with Polish Senate Speaker Bogdan Borusewicz in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Sunday, Mohammad Javad Zarif underscored that Iran and Poland can hold consultations to help contain the spread of terrorism and tackle crises.
Zarif then touched upon the developments in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, saying, “We (in Iran) stand ready to have active participation to [help] work out political solutions to the regional crises, and in our point of view, the key factors of people’s right to self-determination and non-interference by foreigners is very important and determining.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, the top Iranian diplomat referred to Tehran-Warsaw ties, and said the two sides enjoy great potential for the further enhancement of bilateral relations in various areas.
The Polish Senate speaker, for his part, termed Iran a key player in the region.
“Iran plays a key role in regional developments, and is a stabilizing player in the region. We can further contribute to regional and international security through mutual cooperation,” Borusewicz said.
The speaker said his country attaches great importance to the enhancement of ties with Iran, saying Warsaw has put on its agenda measures to pump up mutual trade with Tehran.
Borusewicz also sat down with Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council, who said a positive climate will emerge for the betterment of relations between Iran and Europe following the implementation of the agreement Iran signed with six other countries over Tehran’s nuclear program.
In mid-July, Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia – plus Germany finalized the text of an agreement dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the Austrian capital of Vienna.
Under the JCPOA, limits will be put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the lifting of all economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic.
Rafsanjani told the Polish Senate speaker that Iran is set to overhaul its relations with Europe, stressing that Tehran sees no limitations for the expansion of ties with Warsaw.
Borusewicz, in turn, described Iran’s regional role very important and called the Islamic Republic the anchor of stability in the region.
He said his country is willing to forge closer ties with Iran on all fronts.