Extremists provide pretext for U.S. occupation: Iranian FM

TEHRAN,Aug.12(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said extremist groups are preparing the ground for the occupation of the region by the United States, the Istanbul-based Cumhuriyet newspaper reported. Speaking to Cumhuriyet, Salehi commented on the latest developments in the region, particularly in Syria, and said that Iran and Turkey can cooperate on the Syrian issue and promote peace and stability in the country. He said that if Iran and Turkey are not vigilant against the extremist groups in the region there is a possibility that the two countries become involved in the conflicts caused by these groups. He said, “The policy of ‘divide and rule’ is pursued in the region and the spread of radical elements in the region would be one of the consequences of lack of government in Syria.” On the bitter remarks made by a number of Iranian and Turkish officials on the ties between the two countries, Salehi said the official stances of the two countries are adopted by the relevant officials, and in Iran the officials who announce the country’s official position are the Supreme Leader, president and foreign minister, and other officials’ remarks do not reflect the country’s official stance. He added that Tehran-Ankara ties are so strong that such remarks cannot harm the relations. On the purpose of his trip to Turkey, he said that he had made the trip to hold talks with Turkish officials on the Iranians abducted in Syria. On August 4 48 Iranian pilgrims were abducted by the Free Syrian Army near a shrine in the suburb of Sayyida Zainab.