Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast denied the arrest of Turkey´s outlawed Kurdish Workers´ Party (PKK) number-two leader by Iran´s intelligence forces.
In his weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Mehmanparast expressed regret that some media were not exact enough in circulating this news.

Referring to the allegations over travel of a member of Libyan National Transitional Council to Iran, he underlined that ´so far we have not received the information to verify this issue.´

Mehmanparast called for halting military violence and attacks in Libya, urging all to do their utmost to stop violence and establish peace and security in Libya.

He stressed that any kind of meddling of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces, especially in military forms, in Libya is ´wide of the mark´.

Mehmanparast further termed the US sanctions against Iran as ´fruitless and repetitive measures´ which he said aimed at putting more pressure on Tehran.

´Sanctions are unable to stop Iranian progress,´ he said, adding ´Iranian nation will change sanctions into opportunities.´

Referring to the coincident travels of Russian National Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev to Tehran and that of the Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi to Moscow, Mehmanparast added such matters are natural.

Regular exchange of delegations between Tehran and Moscow indicated the importance the two countries attach to fostering mutual cooperation.
Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast in his weekly press conference said Tuesday that seeking reparation from Iraq is an issue which will be discussed in due time.
Categorically denying the claim, Mehmanparast said some Iraqis have said that the Islamic Republic owes Iraq billions of dollars in reparation.

According to the United Nations’ report, the regime of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was the one who started a war against the Islamic Republic, and it also incurred serious losses and damage to Iranians, added the spokesman.

He further said this issue will be discussed at a proper time.

In regards to Syria, the Iranian official called on foreign powers not to interfere in the internal affairs of Syria.

“…foreign meddling will benefit no one but instead will lead to increasing tensions.

“Countries, regional states in particular, should all make efforts to ensure peace and security in Syria,” said the spokesman.

Creating insecurity in Syria will be only to the benefit of the Zionist regime, added Mehmanparast.

End.
Last Updated: 16 August 2011