TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches high significance to the issue of peace and security in the region, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.     

 

Salehi made the remarks during a meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah in Tehran on Tuesday. 

 

One of the priorities of the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy is helping efforts to promote security and stability in the region, he said, adding that Tehran attaches high importance to the security of the Strait of Hormuz as a critical shipping lane.    

 

The strait, between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, is a strategic 20-mile-wide link for Persian Gulf oil-exporting nations and the shipping lanes to oil-importing nations.

 

The Iranian foreign minister went on to say that the particular circumstances and developments that today’s world is experiencing necessitates that Tehran and Muscat have close ties and be in constant dialogue. 

 

Commenting on the issue of sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic and relations between Iran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany), Salehi said that the expansion of ties with European countries is one of the main priorities of Tehran’ foreign policy, however, Iran is determined to achieve its rights as stipulated in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

 

Iran is at loggerheads with some European Union countries over its nuclear program.

 

Salehi also said on Monday that relations between Iran and the European Union will be normalized and asked the EU not to miss opportunity to improve ties with Tehran. 

 

Oman calls Iran’s regional role positive 

 

During the meeting, Alawi described his trip to Iran as satisfactory and said it provided an opportunity to cement ties and hold consultations on various issues, including regional security. 

 

He also called the Islamic Republic’s role in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, positive and emphasized the need for a constant dialogue between Tehran and Muscat. 

 

He also said that the close relations between the two countries are a great asset which can help resolve regional problems. 

 

In the meeting, the two sides also discussed other issues such as economic cooperation in various spheres. 

 

Iran has established the best relations with Oman among the six-member Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.