Iran Foreign Policy – Articles and opinions about Iran’s diplomatic relations, including those related to major supranational bodies such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.
The row between Iran and Turkmenistan over outstanding debts for previous natural gas sales is taking to new highs with Tehran saying it plans to sue Ashgabat for turning off the taps.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has written to the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to demand international action to stop rights violations against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has praised the role of Iran in his nation’s victories on the battlefield against Takfiri [extremist] terror groups, saying the Islamic Republic also deserves to be congratulated on these successes.
Iran says unconstructive remarks by Turkish officials regarding the developments on the ground in Syria will further complicate the situation in the Arab country.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman denied rumors that Iranians will be again barred from making Hajj pilgrimage in the next summer, saying the final decision remains to be made after a possible invitation from Saudi Arabia and subsequent talks.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani criticized the US for disrupting a military operation that the Iraqi army has begun to retake the city of Mosul, saying Americans do not seek an end to the “security crisis” in the Middle East.
Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, says the US lawmakers do not dare to prohibit the use of gun in spite of the increasing violence in the United States.
Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani slammed attacks on Muslims and Islamic sites in the West, underlining the need for Western governments to ensure security for followers of the religion.
Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki has hailed Iran’s support for his country in the fight against terrorist groups, saying the Islamic Republic alone came to the help of Iraq in the war on Daesh Takfiri militants.
Iran has strongly condemned a terrorist car bomb attack in the north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, urging collective measures to firmly fight terrorism across the world.
Iran has vowed all-out efforts to help restore peace to violence-torn Syria, saying the Islamic Republic will attend the upcoming crisis resolution talks between Damascus and the opposition in Astana, Kazakhstan, “without any preconditions.”
An Iranian energy official denounced Turkmenistan for going back on its word and cutting off gas supplies to Iran abruptly, saying, however, that Iran’s ability to feed the countrywide gas grid remains unaffected by such “immoral” measure by the Ashgabat government.
Head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Hamid Mohammadi denied reports that Saudi Arabia has invited the Islamic Republic’s delegation to discuss resumption of Hajj pilgrimages by Iranians.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates’ Affairs Hassan Qashqavi said no Iranian nationals are reported to have been among victims of a Sunday terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin underlined that the battle against terrorism and terrorist groups in Syria should continue.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed Syria’s nationwide ceasefire, but warned against the strengthening of terrorists during the truce time in the Arab country.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reportedly obtained President Hassan Rouhani’s consent to appoint Javad Torkabadi, a former envoy to Bahrain and Kuwait, as the new Iranian ambassador to Damascus.
In separate meetings on Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani received the credentials of new ambassadors of Germany, Ecuador, Morocco, and Romania, calling for closer ties with the four states.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman ruled out the possibility that Syrians would allow Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the upcoming talks for peace in Syria, but noted that Turkey could play a positive role if it abandons the policy of disintegration of Syria.
Reports say Saudi Arabia has invited Iran to discuss the resumption of Hajj pilgrimages by Iranians, a process that has been halted over a litany of Hajj-time disasters and moves by Riyadh impeding the performance of the Islamic ritual by Iranians.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a message to Italy’s newly appointed prime minister-designate highlighted the age-old friendly ties between Tehran and Rome and called for expansion of the relations.
Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven is scheduled to visit Tehran in February 2017 heading a high-ranking economic delegation, the country’s envoy to Iran announced.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani sent a message to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, offering the Iranian nation’s condolences to Russia over a plane crash that killed all 92 people on board on Sunday.