Iran can play a major role in helping defuse regional conflicts, a senior British official says.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond made the remark in a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian in London on Wednesday, Fars News Agency reported.
"Terrorism has experienced a growing trend in recent years," Hammond said, calling for Iran's active engagement in the resolution of regional issues.
Hammond believes that Iran's approach to addressing Middle East conflicts is helpful and the two states need to hold regular consultations on the region at different levels.
Expressing pleasure with the Iranian diplomat's trip to Britain, he stated, "Iran is a great country and an ancient civilization."
Pointing to the implementation of the nuclear deal clinched between Iran and major world powers, officially titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the British official noted, "This is an ideal chance which should be cherished the best way possible."
"Being oblivious to the root causes of extremism in the Middle East has increased threats by terrorist groups and resulted in the refugee crisis in Europe," Amir Abdollahian said.
Pointing to the complicated situation in the region, he said, "Tehran has always pursued a constructive approach toward regional challenges and believes that only political approaches can solve the crises in Syria, Yemen and Iraq."
Amir Abdollahian and Hammond also discussed the latest developments in Tehran-London relations. The two sides reopened their embassies in August after a four-year closure.
