'West seeking to increase arms sales in region through Iranophobia'

TEHRAN, June 11 (MNA) – The West is making efforts to promote Iranophobia in the region in order to boost its arms sales, says Brigadier General Gholamreza Jalali, head of the Passive Defense Organization.

Iranophobia and Shiaophobia in the region will echo a sentiment that Iran is posing a threat against regional nations, Jalali told the Fars News Agency.

“The U.S. always tells our neighbors that the Islamic Republic of Iran is against them” while Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that Tehran seeks friendship with regional countries and that Iran’s military might is for defensive purposes, Jalali explained.

He also said stoking a feeling of fear in the region will help the West to form a regional alliance against Iran.

He went on to say that Iran, through increasing ties with other countries, seeks to show that it is not a threat to any nation, adding Iran has never been ‘gluttonous’ both before and after the Islamic Revolution.

However, he said Iranophobia has somehow been institutionalized in regional countries and Iran is trying to fight this concept through its ambassadors in these countries.

Jalali also said Iran does not intend to interfere in any country’s affairs whatsoever.