The UN secretary-general's special representative for Iraq said Iran's involvement in regional and international consultations to find a solution to the ongoing crisis in Iraq can be "constructive".
Jan Kubis made the remarks in a meeting with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Sunday, in which the two officials exchanged views on the latest developments in Iraq, IRNA reported.
"Iraq has a bright future ahead of it," said the UN envoy, adding that the Iraqis have good opportunities in their country that need to be used to meet their national interests.
Kubis, who also serves as head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), called on all Iraqi ethnic groups and minorities to cooperate in the campaign against the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorist group and said it is necessary for them to support and boost Iraq's central government.
Zarif hailed the Iraqi government's success in promoting unity and convergence across the country and asked all Middle East countries to play a "cooperative role" to help solve the conflict in Iraq. However, he expressed regret over the activities of some countries in the region, which appear to be to the detriment of Iraq's unity and convergence.
Urging the UN to deal with regional issues based on "the existing realities," the foreign minister stressed the necessity of preserving Iraq's territorial integrity and called on the international community to help improve security in the crisis-hit country.
Zarif warned that IS threats are not limited to Iraq and can spread all over the Middle East region.
Pointing to the May 22 suicide attack by IS on a Shiite mosque in Qatif, eastern Saudi Arabia, which reportedly killed 19 and wounded dozens, the minister said, "Once they fully settle down in the region, IS terrorists will show mercy neither to Shias nor Sunnis in Saudi Arabia, and will pose a serious threat to the country's security."
Zarif also said it is essential to maintain unity and integrity in Iraq by avoiding ethnic and sectarian conflicts.
IS terrorists began their offensive through Iraqi territory in June 2014 and took full control of the country's second largest city, Mosul, before capturing swathes of land in Iraq's heartland.
The militants have committed gruesome crimes and terrorized members of various communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians during their advances in Iraq.
