Call for Dialogue Amid Arab Rift

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized a move by some regional countries on Monday to cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar and said dialogue is needed among the countries involved in the dispute. "Neighbors are permanent; geography cannot be changed. Coercion is never the solution," Zarif said on his Twitter account on Monday as cited by Tasnim News Agency.  "Dialogue is imperative, especially during the holy month of Ramadan," he added in his tweet. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, Libya and the Maldives severed ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, opening up the worst rift in the Arab world in years. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi also expressed Tehran's concern over the development, urging Persian Gulf Arab sheikhdoms to end tensions through "direct and transparent" talks instead of severing diplomatic ties.