TEHRAN – Tensions between Iran and the Gulf Arab countries are the result of a “Western and Zionist conspiracy”, the foreign ministry in Tehran said on Sunday.
“Sowing discord between Islamic countries, especially between Iran and the countries of the region, is a Western and Zionist conspiracy,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparst was quoted as saying on the website of state television.
“We advise regional governments to heed the demands of their people in order to stop such conspiracies,” he said, while insisting that unity among Muslims was the key issue for Iran.Tehran’s comments come as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is slated to meet in Riyadh later Sunday to discuss “Iran’s interference” in the region.
Relations between Iran and its neighbours have been strained in recent weeks, as Tehran insists on supporting the uprisings in the Arab world. “The stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to support popular movements, halt repression and acts of violence, and interference of foreigners in the region.
