TEHERAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aram said his country was endeavouring to develop friendly relations with all states, in particular with the Persian Gulf states. He denied allegations by the United Arab Republic that Iran had any covetous desire towards these states. The Foreign Minister made this statement in an appeal for friendship and unity among all Muslim peoples issued on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. He said King Faisal of Saudi Arabia’s recent call for unity among Muslims all over the world had prompted Iran to “invite all the peoples of Islam to join in unity and friendship”.

The Foreign Minister then stated: “We want to make it known that we are endeavouring to develop more and more our relations with all our Arab neighbours and the Emirates of the Persian Gulf. Our relations with these Emirates and the Sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf are based on the principle of good neighbourliness and sincerity.” Speaking of statements made in the UAR accusing Iran of encouraging Iranian emigration to the Persian Gulf states for the purpose of “Iranizing” them Mr Aram said: “It is regrettable to see malevolent minds wanting to tarnish these relations and attribute to Iran covetous desires upon these states which it [Iran] has not.” He said Iran has always supported Arab States to enable them to settle the Palestine issue “on the basis of justice and within the framework of the resolutions adopted by the United Nations”.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2015

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