Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said the international community cannot count on the two countries for international peace and security, as they protect the interests of the Zionist regime over the interests of other nations, governments, and the international community.
“The military actions of the United States and Britain in the region and their continued support for Israel’s warmongering are contradictory to the rhetoric and claims that they do not want to expand the war and crisis,” he said.
He further said that the US is either confused or inflicted with contradictions in its words and actions and went on to argue that Washington’s actions clearly show that it wants to enable the Zionist regime to continue its crimes.
“The focal point of the crisis in the region is the continuation of Israel’s war with the support of the US and Britain against the Palestinian people, and the basic solution is to end this war crime and genocide,” Kanaani noted.
He further said attacking other countries in the region is a violation of the national sovereignty of Syria, Iraq, and Yemen and is a “desperate attempt” to divert public attention from the center of the regional crisis, which is in Gaza, to other areas.
“The US and Britain do not have a correct understanding of international issues and their solutions, and instead of paying attention to the cause, they pay attention to the effect,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman maintained.
Issue of Yemen
The Islamic Republic of Iran announced the cancellation of tourist visas for citizens of 28 countries on February 4, Kanaani said.
The action comes in line with the government's policy to bolster relations with various friendly and neighboring countries.
Iran expects similar moves from other countries, he further noted.
As to the meeting of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen with the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, he said that the visit took place in line with Iran's continued consultations with the United Nations on the issue.
Holding talks on the latest developments in Yemen about the stability and security in the Arab country has been among the agenda of bilateral dialogue, he underscored.
Iran is seriously resolved in supporting Yemen, he said, adding that the Islamic Republic is using all its diplomatic power in this regard.
Since the onset of the Yemen crisis, Iran has called for adopting a political solution, he noted.
The Islamic Republic has regarded the adoption of a military solution ineffective, he further noted.
He expressed satisfaction that various players (in the region) have started to focus on dialogue to resolve the crisis in Yemen after nine years.
Iran-Afghanistan water right
This issue is on the agenda of talks with the Afghan delegation at different levels and is one of Iran's constant demands, Kanaani said.
Our negotiations are on bilateral issues and the current developments in Afghanistan, he added.
Iran-Iraq relations
Iran and Iraq enjoy strong relations and there is no obstacle in this regard, he said.
We have also good trade and economic relations with the Iraqi Kurdistan region, he added.
We are optimistic that the relations between Iran and Iraq will continue to grow, he stated.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council visit to Iraq
This trip is within the framework of cooperation between the two sides and in line with the continuation of security talks between Iran and Iraq.
The two sides will discuss the process of fighting terrorism to strengthen security cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the region.
‘US, not Iran, has regional proxy’
Kanaani emphasized that Iran is not after escalating tensions in the region, but rather, seeks to pave the ground for peace and stability and prevention of the spillover of the crisis across the region.
“Iran does not have a proxy group in the region,” he asserted, adding, “It is the US that uses the Zionist regime to secure its interests in the region.”
He also dismissed the need for direct talks between Tehran and Washington, saying the two sides have exchanged messages through intermediaries.
US is part of region’s problems
The solution to the problem and crisis in the region is clear, he said. “Peace and stability in the region depends on stopping the war in Gaza.”
“Today, the US is not a part of the solution to the Gaza crisis, but it is a part of the crisis because it has provided full support to the Zionist regime in committing its crimes and has repeatedly prevented the UN Security Council from fulfilling its duties,” the spokesman remarked.
In response to a question by IRNA’s correspondent about the level of Iran’s participation at the UN Security Council meeting on recent US attacks on Syria and Iraq, Kanaani said the permanent representative of Iran will attend the meeting.
Diplomatic relations of Iran and Afghanistan
About the regional contact group which has been formed to resolve the crisis in Afghanistan, Kanaani said that the initiative of setting up a regional contact group to resolve the issues of the neighboring country was put forward by Iran at the Moscow summit nearly four months ago.
Iran held talks with respective parties in this regard, he said, adding that a regional contact group including Iran, China, Russia, and Pakistan was eventually formed.
The countries agreed to hold a meeting in Kabul, he said, noting that the meeting was convened on January 29 in Kabul.
"At the meeting, the participants discussed the ongoing developments in Afghanistan in a bid to help restore and expand stability, peace and development in the country."
He expressed hope that the people of Afghanistan would witness an improvement.
Presence of American actress in Iran
Regarding the presence of an American actress in Iran, Kanani said, "I have no information about this."
American citizens are not prohibited from traveling to Iran just as Iranian citizens have no problem entering the US, he said.
Issues on Arash Gas Field
Regarding the Arash Gas Field and the claims of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in this regard, he said that he has clearly expressed Iran’s stance on the issue.
What is raised could be followed up within the framework of the legal mechanism between the two countries, the official noted.
Kanaani advised the countries to refrain from raising the technical topics on the media as the move would be of no use in resolving the issue.
Sudanese FM visit to Iran
We had close relations in the past, he said, adding that unfortunately, the former government of Sudan had severed relations with Iran based on a false reason.
The two countries are paving the ground for the reopening of their embassies, and this trip is carried out in the framework of strengthening relations, he stated.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing an internal conflict in Sudan, Kanaani said.
Iran's policy has been to establish stability and security, he stressed.
We emphasize stopping the conflict and the intra-Sudanese talks, he said.
South Africa's complaint against Israel
Iran has supported South Africa's complaint and encouraged other countries to do so, he said.
US national security advisor's claims on the possibility of attacking Iran
Iran is not after escalating tension and crisis in the region, Kanaani said.
Iran has shown that it has decisively fought any threats against its sovereignty and territorial integrity and will not hesitate to use its capabilities for any regrettable response.
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