TEHRAN - Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, an advisor to Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani for international affairs, said on Saturday that Tehran has always welcomed expanding and boosting ties with neighboring countries including the Persian Gulf littoral states.

“Expansion of relations with the neighboring countries is the first priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy and Tehran pays attention to views of the Emir of Kuwait and the country’s parliament speaker on helping settle regional crises politically,” Amir-Abdollahian told ICANA.

He highlighted the importance of “parliamentarian diplomacy” to expand regional cooperation in the current volatile situation in the region.

Amir-Abdollahian also said that Kuwaiti Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has “constructive strategies” on the regional crises.

Kuwaiti Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim told Asharq Al-Awsat in an interview that Kuwait and other Persian Gulf littoral states are interested in expanding ties with Iran.

NA/PA