The Persian Gulf is part of the region’s shared historical and cultural identity, and the Islamic Republic of Iran considers strengthening relations with the Persian Gulf countries based on its neighborliness policy as the most important factor in achieving shared security, Kanaani said at a presser in Tehran on Monday.
Raisi administration pursuing Hirmand River water rights
Responding to a question about Iran’s water rights from the Hirmand River, he said the administration, its diplomatic apparatus, and President Ebrahim Raisi himself are pursuing the issue attentively.
“The water rights issue, not only with regard to Afghanistan but also in negotiations with other neighbors, especially Turkey, Iraq and Turkmenistan, is one of the top issues on our permanent agenda in bilateral and multilateral talks,” he said.
“We hope that the Afghan side – first as a sign of commitment to an international contract, and second as a sign of its goodwill and commitment to good neighborliness in its interactions and relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran as an important regional country – will not fall short of pursuing this commitment and will take the necessary steps towards granting the full [rights],” the spokesman added.
Unlike Europe, Iran strived for fruitful mutual ties
Elsewhere in his remarks, Kanaani made clear that the Islamic Republic has never limited its foreign relations to a specific geographical area.
Bilateral relations are always a two-way path, he said, adding that the expansion of ties is dependent and conditional on the existence of a political will from the sides as well as taking practical steps to make it happen.
“With regard to Europe, we strived to organize relations based on mutual respect and interests, but the European side focused on specific issues, and those issues acted as disincentive factors because of certain approaches of the European side,” he remarked.
Pres. Raisi will visit Syria according to plan
On President Raisi’s visit to Syria, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said the trip will be made according to the plan.
President Bashar al-Assad visited Iran, and good agreements were reached between the two countries, he explained.
Kanaani also said Iran and Syria are two important and influential countries in the West Asia region and have strategic cooperation together, especially in the fight against terrorism.
He said Iran stood by Syria’s side during years of systematic attacks by multinational terrorists and will continue to do so during its reconstruction.
Therefore, he went on, the upcoming visit of President Raisi will cover various topics of mutual interest.
Iran does not interfere in Lebanon’s affairs
Regarding the developments in Lebanon and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian’s visit to the country, Kanaani said the Islamic Republic has always stated clearly that the solution to Lebanon’s problems should come from the Lebanese government and people.
He said Amirabdollahian also reiterated that position during his visit and emphasized that Iran does not interfere in Lebanon’s affairs.
He also said that after an agreement was reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia to resume political relations, the Lebanese official and public spheres welcomed the development.
Iran-Belgium prisoner swap deal binding
Asked about the Iran-Belgium deal for a prisoner swap, Kanaani said the agreement was signed between the relevant authorities of the two countries and became binding on April 18, after about two years of legal process.
This is a general agreement, and it’s an agreement we have with different countries. We submitted our request for Assadi’s transfer to the Islamic Republic of Iran to Belgian government officials based on the provisions of this agreement, he said, adding that the Belgian side also did the same for their prisoner.
The parties have submitted their requests. We hope to witness the transfer of Assadollah Assadi to Iran based on the provisions of this agreement being implemented in good faith, he added.
The spokesman also stressed that Iran regards all stages of detention, trial and judicial verdict against Assadi as a “gross violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Rights.”
Window of opportunity will not remain open forever to restore JCPOA
On the issue of multilateral talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal, Kanaani said the path of diplomacy is still open, and the exchange of messages continues, further explaining that there are different active paths to exchange messages with the other side.
I once again emphasize that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to conclude the negotiations while observing the country’s red lines, but as previously said and as the foreign minister has pointed out, the window of negotiations will not remain open forever, he noted.
He said Oman has made efforts to bring the sides to the negotiating table to reach a deal on reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and also has some ideas at the moment, adding that the Iranian side respects the goodwill of the Omani side. Oman has a positive capacity and history and experience of playing a positive role in helping to resolve complex issues.
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