Eurasia Press & News
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini dismissed US military attack on Iran, saying that the US does not enjoy the required capabilities to invade Iran due to regional conditions. Hosseini made the remarks during his weekly press conference here in Tehran on Sunday, where he also said that Tehran is still working on the issue of the ministerial summit of Iraq’s neighbors plus Egypt and Bahrain, exchanging views with the different sides in this regard.
“Yet, holding the summit in Baghdad is our top priority,” he stressed.
Elsewhere, the spokesman dismissed recent allegations about tensed conditions in Iran-Iraq relations, and described them as unfounded and baseless.
“The two countries’ relations are consolidated and based on mutual trust and common interests,” he reiterated.
Asked about some recent reports about the auctioning of the former US embassy in Tehran, Hosseini said he has not received any reliable formal report from the relevant authorities in this regard.
In response to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s willingness for visiting Tehran and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki’s positive view and strong inclination for the trip, Hosseini said that the two sides have not yet specified any date for the trip.
He also noted US efforts to hinder different countries’ relations with Iran, including the United States’ pressures on Brazil for lowering the level of its ties with Iran, and said, “As stressed by Brazilian officials, Rio De Janeiro is decisive to expand ties with Tehran and we welcome development of relations with that country as well.”
Regarding recent tensions in Turkey-Iraq relations, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman expressed the hope that the issue would be solved through diplomatic means.
Elsewhere, he pointed to a recent court ruling in London for the auctioning of Iran’s ancient artifacts, and viewed the verdict as unfair, adding that the foreign ministry and Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) have formed a joint committee to restore the country’s rights.
Concerning the nuclear issue, Hosseini said that managing director of the Russian contractor company Atomstroiexport is due to take a trip to Iran in the next few days to discuss issues related to Bushehr power plant.
In response to questions about Iran’s efforts to release the five Iranian diplomats kidnapped during a raid by the US troops on the Islamic Republic’s consulate general in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil more than three months ago, the spokesman expressed hope that the US officials would give up their perversity and release the five Iranian mission staffers immediately.
Asked if Iran would issue an entry visa for the chairwoman of the US Congress, Nancy Pelosi to enter Iran and attend talks with the Iranian parliament deputies, the foreign ministry spokesman said that no such demand has been raised yet, adding that foreign ministry would study the case once such a request is filed.
