Iran welcomes strategic ties with Iraq: Spox

Tehran (IP) -The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Iraq has a special status for us, and during FM Zarif's visit, the issue of a strategic document between the two countries was on the agenda

Iran PressIran News: New Spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saeed Khatibzadeh, on Monday during his first press conference after being appointed, said regarding the announcement of the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein's readiness to hold strategic talks with Iran and the countries of the region, "everyone is aware of the strategic relations between Iran and Iraq. Iraq has a special status for us, and during FM Zarif's visit, the issue of a strategic document between the two countries was on the agenda, and information will be provided as soon as it is finalized."

"We welcome this announcement and hope to hold strategic talks with Iraq as soon as possible," he said.

 The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said about what happened to the Iranian fishing boat:  The UAE Chargé d'Affaires was summoned and an official apology note was sent to Iran and the UAE accepted responsibility. We will continue to work to ensure that all those who suffered, in this case, are compensated.

 Israel has shown that it cannot guarantee its security

 The spokesman in response to the question that from now on there will be a change in relations with Arab and Islamic countries due to the normalization of relations with the Zionist regime? He stated: ‌ What is announced by informal channels is not a way that we approve of. Rest assured, no one can speak harshly to our Chargé d'Affaires. The occupying regime is collapsing, and it is doing everything it can to legitimize itself and buy a few more years.

"Based on our principled foreign policy, we will never fall short of this right," he said, noting that we advise other countries. I do not see any countries that go this way so fast. A miscalculation by any country has consequences for themselves. Israel has shown that it cannot guarantee its security. There has been no covenant that has not been broken and there has not been any assassination that has not been carried out by it.
 
Khatibzadeh stated: These are the realities of the world and these realities do not change.

we welcome the agreement reached in Libya

 Asked about the agreement reached in Libya, he said: "We are happy that Libya, a brotherly and Muslim country, is at peace and we welcome the agreement reached. The sooner the Libyan-Libyan dialogue takes place, the better for peace and stability in Africa.

Regarding AEOI's spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi's remarks about the Natanz incident and that it was sabotage, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We are waiting for an official report and we have not yet received an official report that it was of internal or external origin. We will react if it is of foreign origin. A compromise regarding the security and interests of the nation has not been and will not be on the agenda.

Seoul has still failed to meet its legal obligations

Regarding South Korea and its debt to Iran, he said:  "South Korean-Iranian relations have seen a major challenge, and Seoul has still failed to meet its legal obligations. Of course, you should ask the central bank for technical details. It has been repeatedly reported to South Korea that the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that any delay in debt repayment will have long-term effects. Negotiations are underway and we hope that this issue will be resolved on this basis. US sanctions are not something that an independent government can follow.

 Khatibzadeh in answering a question regarding what is Iran's legal tactic in this regard if the snapback mechanism is implemented? What the United States is citing has no legal basis. The United States is not a member of the JCPOA to use it. A very childish interpretation is expressed by Washington out of desperation.

Iranian delegation in Geneva for Syrian Constitutional Committee

New Spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Syrian Constitutional Committee will be held in Geneva today and that the Iranian delegation is there.

Khatibzadeh added that the Iranian delegation will have meetings with the two countries that guarantee the Astana Peace Process on the sidelines of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva.

He referred to Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif' recent visit to Lebanon on August 13 to express solidarity with the Lebanese government and people and to meet with Lebanese officials, saying: "During the visit, he had telephone conversations with the Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement and the Head of the Political Bureau of the Hamas Movement and the Palestinian Foreign Minister."

Khatibzadeh stressed that the US experienced its historical defeat on August 14 when the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) failed to agree on the US arms embargo against Iran.  

In response to a question about a report published by the Iranian embassy in Venezuela on Iran's trade with Venezuela and that we have given oil and received fruit, he said: "Iran-Venezuela relations are based on the interests and principles of Iran's foreign policy and mutual interests. The relations between the two countries do not belong to any third country and have been consolidated in recent years. Of course, the ties between the two countries have been attacked by the United States because of the independence of both countries.

Khatibzadeh about the US claim to seize four ships carrying Iranian fuel noted: "The US false allegations coincided with the time when they were struggling to submit a resolution on an arms embargo in the Security Council, and there were the psychological war and counter-intelligence move. It was piracy, regardless of who owned the ship and the cargo. Iran neither owns the ship nor owns the gasoline it sells.

Referring to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's forthcoming visit to the region to build consensus against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the spokesman said that the US is the most isolated state in history, which was accompanied with only one country in the Security Council and in New York against Iran. Do not worry about the US' move to build consensus, it cannot create consensus within itself against the zealous nation of Iran. Pompeo's trip to the UAE and the region is a separate story.

Khatibzadeh said: "The agreement between the UAE and the Zionist regime is a wound on the Islamic world and the UAE made a big mistake and we hope they will make up for it as soon as possible. The Islamic world will never forget the betrayal of the Holy Quds.

He said: "In Iran's defense and security doctrine, the Persian Gulf is an area that Israel is not considered a threat and Israel is too weak to be considered a threat to Iran. Iran is taking seriously its own security and national interests. If there is a threat in the region from the occupying regime of Israel, the UAE will be held accountable.

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