TEHRAN (Press TV) -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said Monday terrorism and its root causes are to blame for the existing crisis across the Middle East and are hindering progress of Muslim countries.
"The threat of terrorism and its root causes such as the Takfiri ideology, which is promoted by certain countries, have caused crisis for the entire region and are a big obstacle in the path of Muslim countries' growth and progress," Shamkhani said in a meeting with Azerbaijan's Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and his accompanying delegation.
He lashed out at the United States and the occupying regime of Israel for pursuing policies aimed at sowing discord among neighboring countries.
"It is necessary to maintain vigilance and increase interactions and constructive dialogues to neutralize destructive efforts by ill-wishers who aim to create skepticism and rift among regional countries," the senior Iranian security official said.
Shamkhani added that illegal sanctions imposed by the United States have been turned into a tool in the hands of U.S. President Donald Trump to take revenge on opposing countries.
"However, the past experience has showed that such actions are not effective but only lead to further isolation of the U.S. among the international community," Shamkhani pointed out.
The Azerbaijani minister, for his part, condemned a recent terrorist attack in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz and expressed his sympathy with the Iranian government and people over the bitter incident.
Usubov said Iran and Azerbaijan are facing common threats emanating from the creation of Takfiri terrorist groups and their measures.
He expressed his country's keenness to make use of Iran's valuable experience in the fight against terrorism and ways to counter possible terror threats.
Terrorists on Saturday opened fire at a crowd of people during a military parade in Ahvaz, killing 25 military personnel and civilians — including women and children — and wounding at least 68 others.