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Larijani Reasserts Cordial Ties With Arab States

Larijani Reasserts Cordial Ties With Arab States
Larijani Reasserts Cordial Ties With Arab States

 Given Iran's special relations with Syria and the Arab world, the senior lawmaker added, "Iran's historical, religious, and cultural bonds with Arabic states have roots in history. Moreover, Iran's doctrine is to stand up for the oppressed, including the Palestinians, a strategy that has emerged as an unpleasant surprise for hegemonic powers."

According to Larijani, Tehran does not really differentiate between the two main sects of Islam, Shia and Sunni, "when it comes to safeguarding the interest of the Ummah," which explains why this country supports the Hamas, the largest of several Palestinian militant Islamic groups in occupied Palestine.

"Superpowers are pushing the Iranophobia agenda among Arabic states in a vain attempt.  Iran has never attacked nor will it ever invade another country. Syria was the only state that refused to ally itself with the rest of Arab countries during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq. Yet when the war ended not only did we not want to take revenge, but we also helped Kuwait during the Gulf War, a war waged by a coalition of 34 nations led by the United States against Iraq to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation."

On the prospect of restoring peace to the war-torn Middle East, in particular Syria and Yemen, the lawmaker said "maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity must be high on agenda" when searching for solutions to the crises. "Western powers can never restore peace to the region because they always pursue their own vested interests."

Asked about the future of Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia, Larijani reiterated that Tehran's policy was, is, and will be the establishment of friendly relations with neighboring countries based on reciprocal respect. "Having said that, there is no justification for slaughtering thousands of innocent Yemeni civilians via barbaric air raids," he said referring to the systemic Saudi-led airstrikes and ground offensive on the impoverished Arab country since summer that has cut short the lives of at least 5,000 people, mostly civilians, and injured another 30,000.

Bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and  Saudi Arabia have been strained over different geo-political issues such as the interpretations of Islam, oil export policy as well as relations with the US and the West.

Tensions between Tehran and Riyadh intensified following last month's crush of Hajj pilgrims near Mecca, which claimed the lives hundreds of worshippers, including 465 Iranians.

Financialtribune.com