TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that extremism and terrorism pose a threat to all countries in the Middle East region.

“Extremism and terrorism have turned into a threat to all regional countries and should be countered through cooperation and solidarity among countries,” Zarif told reporters after meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the Iraqi city of Najaf on Monday.

He also highlighted the constructive and leading role of the senior clerics and religious figures in the fight against terrorism.

Zarif noted that he had briefed Ayatollah Sistani on the recent conclusion of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and major world powers and exchanged views with the senior cleric on key regional and international issues.

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in the holy Iraqi city of Najaf late Sunday after he paid visits to Kuwait and Qatar.

In a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Baghdad on Monday afternoon, Zarif said Iran has started a “new dialogue” with Iraq which can be an example for other neighbors.

Zarif calls for united front to establish regional stability

The Iranian foreign minister has said that peace and stability in the Middle East region could be reached only through regional cooperation among the neighboring countries.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Sunday.

“Any kind of countering terrorism and extremism should be within the framework of maintaining and respecting countries’ national sovereignty,” he stated.

Zarif also announced Iran’s readiness to expand relations with Qatar.

For his part, he Qatari emir emphasized the importance of cooperation among the regional countries to establish stability and security in the region.

Sheikh Tamim also called for expansion of ties with the Islamic Republic.

This is Zarif’s first regional trip since Iran reached an agreement with world powers on the country's nuclear program.

Kuwait calls for inclusive dialogue with Iran

Zarif earlier met Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and Kuwait's foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah.

The Kuwaiti foreign minister called for more inclusive dialogue among Iran and other regional countries.

He made the remarks in a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Kuwait on Sunday.

He described Iran as an “important” and “effective” country.

Al-Sabah added that Kuwait has always prioritized expansion of “friendly” relations with Iran and urged other countries in the region to take steps toward expanding ties with Iran as well.

Zarif stated that Iran has never taken any action against the neighboring countries.

He added that the regional countries should solve their problems without foreign interference.


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