Raisi Says Iran Serious in Developing Relations with UAE
In a Thursday meeting with the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, who was heading his country’s delegation to Raisi’s inauguration ceremony, the Iranian president affirmed Tehran’s real and sincere will to develop its relations with the UAE.
He said there is no obstacle in the way of expanding relations between the two countries in various fields, especially the economic field.
Raisi also stressed that Iran has warm sentiments toward the Emirati people, and that close relations between the two governments can pave the way for establishing brotherly relations and closer cooperation between the two peoples.
The Iranian president further stressed that “the Zionists dislike the countries of the region, and they seek, through normalization of ties, to weaken the ability of the Islamic world.”
Iran, Bangladesh Discuss Promotion of Mutual Cooperation
In the Friday meeting, the Bangladeshi diplomat and the Iranian Foreign Minister conferred on issues in bilateral relations in different political, economic, and cultural spheres.
Foreign Minister Zarif thanked the Bangladeshi government for sending a high-ranking delegation headed by the country’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs to the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president.
He also reviewed different aspects of relations between the two countries in bilateral and multilateral areas, especially collaborations at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Dhaka’s stances regarding the issue of Palestine.
Foreign Minister Zarif further praised the Bangladeshi government’s cooperation in the past eight years on promoting its ties with Iran.
He also pointed to President Ebrahim Raisi’s special attention to Iran’s ties with the regional countries, especially the country’s neighbours, and expressed hope that relations and collaborations between Tehran and Dhaka would further expand in the coming period, and the use of creative ways to promote mutual cooperation will continue.
The Bangladeshi diplomat, in turn, highlighted the grounds for promotion of mutual cooperation in various bilateral fields as well as other areas of cooperation. He also praised Foreign Minister Zarif’s eight-year efforts for bilateral relations between the two countries.
Issues related to the Rohingya refugees, cooperation at the OIC, and direct flights between the two countries were among other topics discussed by the two top diplomats.
Iran Says to Respond to Any ‘Foolish’ Act by Israel
“In another brazen violation of Int’l law, Israeli regime now blatantly threatens #Iran with military action,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh in a tweet on Thursday.
“Such malign behaviour stems from blind Western support,” he added.
“We state this clearly: ANY foolish act against Iran will be met with a DECISIVE response,” Khatibzadeh underlined.
He also warned Tel Aviv against putting Iran to the test.
“Don’t test us,” he added.
Iran Wants to See Strong, Developed Iraq: President Raisi
In a meeting with his opposite number from Iraq Barham Saleh, the Iranian president said his administration is set to further boost Tehran-Baghdad ties day by day.
Raisi also expressed hope the upcoming election in Iraq will set the stage for the fulfilment of people’s demands in line with their dignity and might.
He said any step taken to make Iraq stronger and rid the country of foreigners will amount to Iraq’s progress.
“Iran has even given the lives of its best citizens such as martyr General Qassem Soleimani to safeguard Iraq’s territorial integrity, security and stability,” Raisi said.
He also called for facilitating travel to holy sites in Iraq for pilgrims.
Saleh, in turn, said even the long and destructive war launched by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein failed to harm the cordial relationship between the Iranian and Iraqi nations.
He said despite the considerable progress in Tehran-Baghdad ties following the downfall of Saddam Hussein, there still exists enormous untapped potential when it comes to the enhancement of relations.
The Iraqi president underlined the need to redefine security arrangements in the region, adding it will not be possible to channel regional developments into establishing all-encompassing security and stability without the contribution of Iran and a strong Iraq.
He explained that an Iraq with a strong sovereignty can play a very constructive role in regional security arrangements.
He appreciated Iran’s attempts to preserve Iraq’s territorial integrity and fighting terrorism.
Saleh said it has gone down in history that Iran has stood by Iraq in tough days, something which will be a beacon of closer relations in the future.
Regional Security Should Be Provided by Regional States, Raisi Tells Ghani
In a Thursday meeting with visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the Iranian president said Iran stands ready to tap into its potential to help establish lasting peace and prevent further bloodshed in Afghanistan.
Raisi said Iranian and Afghan people have deep-rooted, ideological and civilisational relations.
“Iran wants security, welfare and dignity for Afghan people, and will spare no effort to achieve this objective,” the Iranian president underscored.
He said foreign conspiracies are the root cause of insecurity and tension in Afghanistan.
“Indubitably, despite a drawdown of US troops in Afghanistan, they (Washington) will continue their provocations and acts of sedition in different ways because their interests and survival are contingent upon insecurity,” he said.
He stressed the importance of Iran’s cooperation with Afghanistan’s legitimate government when it comes to the peace trend and stability in the country.
“Afghanistan’s security should be provided by Afghans themselves, and Iran stands ready to offer cooperation in that regard, so that lasting and just peace will take hold and Afghan people will get rid of pain and suffering.
Ghani, for his part, once again congratulated Raisi on his inauguration as Iran’s new president, expressing hope this will open a new chapter in Tehran-Kabul relations.
He said Afghanistan is willing to expand its relations with Iran on all front, namely in political and economic areas.
The Afghan president said Tehran enjoys major and efficacious potentialities when it comes to establishing security in the region.
He noted Iran has a prominent status and role in terms of regional stability and security, and called for tapping into Iran’s potential for mutual cooperation to help ensure lasting security in Afghanistan.
He also praised Iran for warmly hosting Afghan immigrants.
Iran Welcomes Any Diplomatic Initiative to Remove Sanctions: Raisi
The Iranian president said sanctions will not cause the Iranian nation to give up on its nuclear rights.
“The sanctions against the Iranian nation must be lifted, and we welcome any diplomatic initiative that would result in the removal of sanctions,” he added.
Raisi further noted that he extends the hand of friendship and brotherhood to all regional countries, especially Iran’s neighbours, and warmly shakes their hands.
He said Iran’s nuclear program is totally peaceful, and the Iranian government considers nuclear weapons ‘haram’ based on a fatwa by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
He stressed that such weapons have no place in Iran’s military doctrine.
Raisi said the voters’ message in the 2021 elections was independence and resistance against demands by bullying powers.
“At the same time we must have constructive and extensive cooperation with the whole world,” he added.
Raisi Says Promotion of Ties with Turkey on Top of Iran’s Agenda
In a Thursday meeting with visiting Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop, the Iranian president underlined that his administration follows the policy of boosting cooperation with Turkey on all fronts.
“Tehran and Ankara enjoy were good potential to enhance their relations in all areas, and the promotion of mutual ties can effectively advance their cooperation at regional and international levels,” Raeisi noted.
He said the policy of good neighbourliness is a top priority of the new Iranian administration’s policy.
For his part, the top Turkish parliamentarian, on behalf of himself and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, congratulated Raeisi on Raeisi’s inauguration as the new president and wished him success.
Sentop said relations between Iran and Turkey go beyond the cordial relations of two neighbours and are of key importance on the international arena when it comes to ensuring peace and tranquility.
He expressed hope that the forthcoming meeting of the Iran-Turkey High Cooperation Council will be a giant step toward boosting Tehran-Ankara cooperation.
Sentop voiced concern over the developments in Afghanistan, saying a lack of proper progress in the peace trend in that country has possibly resulted in a security vacuum there.
He urged Iran and Turkey to work together closely to help establish peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Ebrahim Raisi Sworn in as Iran’s Eighth President
Raisi was sworn in during the ceremony held at the Iranian Parliament.
In a speech after taking his oath, Raisi praised the people’s turnout in the 2021 elections, and said the people’s message in the elections was independence and resistance against demands by bullying powers.
“At the same time we must have constructive and extensive cooperation with the whole world,” he added.
Raisi stressed that his administration is resolved to have the anti-Iran sanctions lifted, and welcomes any diplomatic initiative to that end.
Raisi Stresses Closer Cooperation with Russia in All Areas
In a meeting with Chairman of the Russian State Duma Viacheslav Volodin in Tehran, the Iranian president expressed hope the document on comprehensive cooperation between the two countries will be finalised to pave the way for ever closer cooperation.
He said there are no impediments to the all-out expansion of ties between the two countries.
“We are pleased to see Russia’s economic progress and development in line with self-reliance, and we are set to best implement resistance economy policies aimed at reinforcing our resistance against economic blows, especially the United States’ cruel sanctions,” said Raisi.
Volodin, in turn, expressed congratulations to, and wished success for President Raisi and his administration on behalf of himself and his country’s president Vladimir Putin.
Volodin highlighted the need to upgrade the level of Iran-Russia cooperation on all fronts and expressed the Russian State Duma’s readiness in that regard.
He said he will convey to his Russian counterpart President Raisi’s proposal on finalisation of the document on comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
The top Russian parliamentarian noted his country has always been keen to expand its cooperation with Iran in all areas.
He, however, said Tehran-Moscow relations have yet to reach the desired level, adding he will make every effort to boost mutual parliamentary relations.
He said sanctions against Iran and Russia are aimed at undermining the two countries, adding the two sides can work together to enhance their transactions and overcome that hurdle.
