TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif on Sunday called on Persian Gulf countries to cooperate on countering common threats and help turn the waters into the "sea of friendship”.
In an article on the occasion of the National Day of Persian Gulf, Zarif reaffirmed Iran’s belief that regional countries are capable of running the regional affairs by themselves.
"The regional countries are capable of upholding their interests in a collective cooperation and protect themselves against threats,” he said.
Zarif highlighted the need for concerted efforts by the regional countries to develop mechanisms for dialogue, fight common threats, reject foreign interference, ensure regional security, and guarantee free shipping.
Regional countries, he said, should settle their differences in a peaceful manner, based on respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity, and refrain from meddling in their internal affairs.
They should also recognize international borders not subject to change, and renounce use of force and coercion, while work toward human and economic development of the region.