Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi welcomed the UAE officials' remarks that the country does not favor escalation of crisis in the region, stressing Tehran's pioneering role in resolving the regional problems through negotiations. RNA - "The Islamic Republic has always underlined the importance of talks and political negotiations as the only way to settle problems in the region and has used all its power to create an atmosphere of talks among the regional states and has pioneered in this arena," Mousavi said on Wednesday.
He referred to the Hormuz Peace Endeavor proposed by the Iranian president during the 74th UN General Assembly meeting last September, and said, "This plan stresses our joint security with the neighboring states based on commitment to common principles, including avoidance from threats to use force, settlement of problems peacefully, respect for the countries' sovereignty and avoidance from interference in the countries' internal affairs and the nations' right to decide their own fate."
Mousavi said Iran believes that the start of this process will guarantee respect to differences in views and meeting common interests of all countries in the region, adding, "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the regional states will accept the Hormuz Peace Endeavor and start comprehensive and pervasive regional talks to annihilate the root causes of differences in the region and take serious and effective steps in line with resolving the regional crises."
Addressing the UNGA late in September, President Rouhani unveiled Iran's new initiative for the establishment of peace and security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and said, " The goal of the Coalition for Hope is to promote peace, stability, progress and welfare for all the residents of the Strait of Hormuz region, and to enhance mutual understanding and peaceful and friendly relations amongst them."
"This initiative includes various venues for cooperation, such as the collective supply of energy security, freedom of navigation and free transfer of oil and other resources to and from the Strait of Hormuz and beyond," he added.
"The Coalition for Hope is based on important principles such as compliance with the goals and principles of the United Nations, mutual respect, equal footing, dialog and understanding, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, inviolability of international borders, the peaceful settlement of all disputes, and more importantly, the two fundamental principles of non-aggression and non-interference in the domestic affairs of each other. The presence of the United Nations is necessary for the creation of an international umbrella in support of the Coalition for Hope," President Rouhani underlined.
Mousavi said on Sunday that after his country had sent details of Tehran’s peace initiative, dubbed as Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE), to all beneficiaries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, adding that positive responses had been sent back.
The Hormuz Peace Endeavor, or HOPE initiative, which was first proposed at the UN General Assembly in New York by President Hassan Rouhani, has been sent in full details to all beneficiary countries, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and we have received good reactions, Mousavi said.
The diplomat added that there will be no further details disclosed, reassuring that further examinations are underway inside the country.
He further voiced hope that the “benevolent step of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be welcomed by these countries to have a safe region” in the future.
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