In a Wednesday statement, Qassemi condemned Pompeo’s remarks about Iran’s regional policies, saying, “The Islamic Republic has always given priority to its neighbours and will always do so in the future.”
“Iran has shaped its foreign policy on the basis of non-interference in the internal affairs of others and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all its neighbouring states,” he went on to say.
Qassemi stressed Iran’s foreign policy is based on the major principle that the security of neighbours is as important as our own security and that of the region.
Tehran is prepared to boost its cooperation, mutual understanding, and relations with all neighbours and surrounding countries, and to promote peaceful coexistence and ensure collective security in the region, he noted.
The Islamic Republic has taken long steps in this regard and raised constructive efforts to realize it, the Iranian spokesman added.
Qassemi referred to the CIA chief’s cheap and unjustifiable allegations as brazen example of Washington’s interfering and illegitimate policies, saying, “The repetition of such cheap accusations is solely aimed at causing rift among Muslim countries and nations in the region, and indicates the continuation of Washington’s excessive demands.”
“Despite what the American official is trying to suggest, the United States’ meddlesome and destabilizing presence in the Middle East and around the Iranian borders is what threatens the interests of all regional countries and obstructs the process of ending the crises through dialogue and diplomacy.
“The US is undoubtedly the main element behind instability and spread of extremism, hostility and terrorism in the Middle East and the world, he added.
Qassemi also pointed to the anniversary of the victory of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, and described it as a symbol of the great Iranian nation’s opposition to the US policies and decades of American interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
“The Iranian people and all regional nations consider the US as an aggressor whose presence in the region and overt and covert support for terrorist groups, occupiers, and tyrannical invaders have had no result for the Middle East but war, instability, and insecurity,” he added.
Qassemi’s remarks came after the CIA director repeated the claim that Iran fires missiles at Saudi Arabia through a proxy force in Yemen, saying the alleged move is “unacceptable” and constitutes “acts of war”.
Pompeo also told BBC in an interview that the best way of avoiding an escalation of conflict was to make sure the Iranian people understood the cost of such activities by their government.
