Zarif says Iran seeks good ties with neighbors

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined that his country is in favor of good relations with its neighbors after media images displayed him shaking hands with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir in Turkey.

"We greeted each other in a luncheon hosted by the Turkish foreign minister (in Istanbul on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) extraordinary meeting on Palestine)," Zarif told reporters in Tehran on Wednesday after the last cabinet meeting of the 11th Iranian government under President Hassan Rouhani.

"Although some differences exist between the two countries, our policy has always been based on the establishment of good relations with neighbors but this policy also depends on mutual respect," he added.

Zarif, who will most likely keep his post in the next government as Iran's foreign minister, also underscored that "the priority of the 12th government will be having good ties with neighbors".

The warm greeting, which came as a surprise to many present reporters due to the current tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia, was initiated by Jubeir who approached Zarif with the intention to shake hands. After an embrace, the two top diplomats held talks with each other.

EA