TEHRAN – The Iranian ambassador to France has said Tehran always seeks friendly ties with its neighbors.

Speaking in a ceremony marking the death anniversary of Imam Khomeini in Paris on Sunday, Ali Ahani expressed hope that regional countries would not be manipulated by foreign powers who seek to provoke hostility, ISNA reported.

He also underlined that Iran is a democratic country with free elections and a choice to decide how to defend its land and what weapons to develop for self-defense.

SP/MH