Rouhani: Iran ready for ‘talks’ with Gulf neighbours

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday that his country is ready to discuss regional security issues with its Arab Gulf neighbours without the presence of “foreigners”.

“We do not need foreigners at all to ensure the security of our region,” Rouhani said in a speech broadcast by state television.

“With regards to regional security measures, we are ready to talk to our neighbours and friends, without any foreign presence,” the Iranian president said.

“We say loudly to the countries on the Gulf’s southern bank, Iran was and will remain a good neighbour to you,” he said in reference to Arab Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia.

“We want to live in peace and security with the world.”

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The Iranian president also warned the Gulf countries of what he described as “enemies seeking only to preserve their interests and buy cheap oil and sell them expensive weapons.”

The Iranian president thanked Russia and other countries for using the veto at the UN Security Council against a British draft resolution which condemned Iran for supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen.