Iran, Jordan FMs discuss issues of mutual interest over phone

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi have exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including bilateral ties, regional cooperation and Palestine.

During a telephone conversation on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian explained the Islamic Republic’s eagerness for friendly, fraternal and respectful relations with regional countries, saying Tehran and Amman should benefit from the existing economic and trade opportunities in the region to improve bilateral ties.

He expressed Iran’s support for regional dialog and cooperation free from foreign interference, and said the expansion of cooperation between regional countries, especially Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan, would pave the way for economic prosperity and stability.

Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran backed Jordan’s historic role in the custodianship of al-Quds al-Sharif and other Islamic and Christian sites in the city in the face of the Zionist regime’s attempts to exercise control over those places.

The top Iranian diplomat further underlined the need for all Muslim states to act responsibly vis-à-vis the issue of Palestine and al-Quds and work hand in hand in international assemblies to help end Israel’s occupation.

Additionally, he highlighted Iran’s proposal for a referendum to determine the fate of the main inhabitants of Palestine, including Muslims, Christians and Jews, saying it is the only solution to the Palestinian issue.

Imposed schemes that ignore the rights of the Palestinian nation and prolong the occupation are unacceptable, he added.

The Jordanian foreign minister, for his part, said his country attached importance to and respected its relations with Iran, stressing the need for reaching an understanding within the framework of collective interests given the conflicts in the region.

He also described terrorism and extremism as common challenges for regional countries.

Palestine is Jordan’s foremost issue, he said, citing Jordan’s sacrifices to ensure the rights of the Palestinian people.

Strengthening ties with South Africa

Separately, Amir-Abdollahian spoke over phone with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor.

They discussed various issues such as boosting cooperation in international and regional fields, holding the 10th political committee at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Tehran, convening the 15th meeting of the Joint Commission between the two countries at the level of foreign ministers in Pretoria, and an official visit by the Iranian president to South Africa.

Amir-Abdolhian underscored the need for the formation of sub-committees on investment, energy and health, and urged efforts to expand trade and economic bonds.

Pandor, for her part, voiced satisfaction with her meeting with the Iranian foreign minister on the sidelines of the annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York and emphasized the importance of developing bilateral relations.

Iraq elections

Also on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian congratulated his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, on the successful holding of parliamentary elections as a symbol of democracy in the Arab country.

Initial results: Shia ceric Muqtada al-Sadr wins Iraq parliamentarian vote

Initial results have suggested that influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has won Iraq parliamentarian vote.

In a message addressed to Hussein, the Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that Iraq would tread the path of stability and prosperity with the formation of a new government and with consensus and solidarity among its people and their elected representatives.

Declaring Iran’s support for the stability and security of Iraq, Amir-Abdollahian said the Islamic Republic stands ready for joint cooperation towards the development of Tehran-Baghdad ties.

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