Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has lashed out at some regional states for continued financing of the ISIL terrorists, saying terrorism and extremism are threatening the entire Middle East and even Western countries.
In a meeting with Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Elmar Brok in Tehran on Sunday, Zarif added that some regional countries are helping ISIL despite their "anti-terrorism slogans."
“Some countries in our region unfortunately think that they can purchase themselves security by [causing] insecurity for others,” he added.
Zarif also called for collective action against ISIL threat, noting, “Instability and insecurity in any of regional countries will directly or indirectly influence our [own] stability and security. That is why we felt responsible to respond [positively] to a request from our brethren in confronting the cause of instability and insecurity.”
Iran’s goodwill in nuclear talks
Zarif further said Iran is pursuing talks with the P5+1 group of global powers on Tehran’s civilian nuclear program based on goodwill and a constructive approach.
He added that pressure and sanctions on the Iranian nation will fail to bear any fruit.
Iran and the P5+1 group of countries – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany – are seeking to finalize a comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear program by June 30.
Iran and its negotiating partners have been working on the text of a final deal since they reached a mutual understanding on key parameters of a final deal in the Swiss city of Lausanne on April 2.
Iran-EU cooperation in Middle East
Brok, for his part, said Iran and the European Union can cooperate appropriately on many important regional issues.
He expressed hope that Iran and the P5+1 countries would reach a final nuclear agreement to open new horizons for Iran-Europe cooperation on bilateral issues as well as regional and international developments.