“The Islamic republic’s regional policy has always followed the principles of mutual respect, (being) good-neighbourly and refraining from interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted by the website as saying. He was reacting to the closing statement of a meeting of GCC foreign ministers in Jeddah.
“Unfortunately, some (people) are influenced by the media run by the (world) arrogance and through disregarding the interests of regional nations, carry out a negative campaign against the Islamic republic of Iran and create misunderstandings between regional countries,” Mehmanparast said.
The GCC statement accused the Shiite-dominant Iran of issuing provocative statements about its members.
It deplored Iranian statements “to challenge some GCC countries, in disregard of the rules of good neighbourliness,” saying “these statements do not help improve relations between both sides.”
Iran’s relations with the Gulf monarchies have been strained in the wake of repeated criticism by Tehran of Saudi intervention in Bahrain in mid-March to help Manama quell a popular uprising led by the Shia majority in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
