Security officials of several states attended a meeting titled Regional Security Dialogue at Tehran's Azadi Hotel on Wednesday with the purpose of discussing ways of combating terrorism and extremism in the region.
The session was attended by Secretary of Russia Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval, Afghanistan’s National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib and Dong Jingwei, a senior security official from China, as well as Iranian representatives.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, described threats posed by terrorism as "serious and growing”.
“Thousands of terrorists still remain in Syria and in other states which, if not countered properly, will further undermine regional stability,” he said.
According to Shamkhani, opposing the theoretical principles of terrorism, addressing the internal issues of target countries and eliminating foreign intervention are the main activities needed in the battle against the phenomenon.
He leveled criticism at the double standards adopted by certain states in dealing with terrorism.
"Exploiting terrorism through financial and political support, production and dissemination of corrupt beliefs, meddling with countries' internal affairs and occupying lands under the pretext of anti-terrorism activity are some clear examples of double standards," he said.
He added that the recent terrorist attack in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, revealed to the world the true nature of terror sponsors who “did not even condemn the criminal act”.
A military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz was attacked on Saturday. The incident took the lives of 24 people, including civilians and members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. The attack was claimed by an ethnic Arab dissident group.
Shamkhani said the attack pointed to ongoing organized efforts by terrorists and their supporters to cause insecurity in the region.
The Regional Security Dialogue, which was the first of its kind, was organized and hosted by the secretariat of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
