Yerevan, April 4, IRNA

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Thursday that the Zionists are trying to sow seeds of discords and sedition among countries of the region, adding that all should exercise vigilance not to fall into their trap.

Addressing a group of reporters in Kazakhstan, he said expansion of regional cooperation is the best means to prevent regional crises.

Expansion of relations between countries of the region runs counter to the interests of aliens including the Zionist regime and this is why they try to divide regional states, he said. 

Presently, the Islamic republic of Iran is the main center for establishment of security in the region, he said, adding that Iran calls for close relations with its neighbors.

The Islamic Republic of Iran closely monitors regional developments, he said. 

On regional developments particularly those in Syria, Mehmanparast said ˈWe defend the legitimate rights of nations and believe that Syrian crisis can be resolved through free elections and establishment of democracy.ˈ

Conflicts in Syria should be halted and a nationwide election held, he said adding that Iran respects the votes of the Syrian people.

ˈUnfortunately, the western countries are against free elections in Syria as they fear the outcome such elections and merely pursue their own interests,ˈ he said. 

On economic sanctions imposed on Iran, he described them as unjust, unfair and illogical.

They have imposed various sets of economic sanctions against Iran under the pretext of the countryˈs peaceful nuclear activities, he said, adding that Iranˈs peaceful nuclear activities are now closely monitored by IAEA and are within the frameworks of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). 

Iran is against any type of weapons of mass destruction as underlined by the countryˈs Supreme Leader, he said, adding that Iran only wants its legitimate rights to make use of nuclear energy honored. 

On upcoming talks between Iran and G5+1, he said there are some signs that the G5+1 may adopt a logical stand this time compared to its previous rounds of talks and if they pursue this policy and recognize Iranˈs rights to this effect, all disputes can be resolved very soon. 

Mehmanparast and the Iranian press delegation will come back to Tehran Thursday night. 

© IRNA 2013