Iran: Nuclear Deal New Chance for Regional Cooperation

Local Editor

Iran, embarking on a diplomatic offensive in the wake of its nuclear deal with world powers, told fellow Muslim countries Friday it hoped the historic accord could pave the way for more cooperation in the Middle East and internationally.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made the comment in a message to Islamic and Arab countries on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the ministry's website said.

"By solving the artificial crisis about its nuclear program diplomatically, a new opportunity for regional and international cooperation has emerged," Zarif said.
Zarif would travel to Gulf countries at some point after the Eid holiday, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham told state news agency IRNA late Thursday.

She said Iran was seriously determined to further expand ties with regional states and its neighbors, some of which include Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab states who accuse Shiite power Tehran of intefering in the Arab world.

In a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister David Cameron Thursday evening, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he would like to have bilateral relations based on mutual respect. Rouhani said the two sides also discussed the reopening of their embassies, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team