FM: Time not ripe for resumption of Iran-US diplomatic ties

Visiting Head of Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani in a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi here on Saturday vowed to have the most secure and best borderline with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Speaking to reporters, Salehi said the officials of Kurdistan region in Iraq have promised to fulfill their pledges to keep joint border safe for people from both sides to travel freely. Thanks to God, the shared boarders between Iran and Iraq are safe and will remain safe in the future, Salehi said. In cooperation with Barezani, the illegal activities of PEJAK (Free Life Party of Kurdistan) has been disrupted and brought under control, he said. Barzani, for his part, said “We wish for a promising relations and cooperation between the two sides.” “We never forget that the Iranian nation welcomed the Iraqi Kurds with open arms during hard times,” he said. Grounds for expansion of brotherly relations and cooperation between the two sides are well prepared, he said. The Value of trade exchange between the two sides stands at dlrs three billions which should be raised, Salehi said. The Islamic Republic of Iran is now self-sufficient in production of many pharmaceutical drugs and is ready to put its invaluable experiences at the disposal of Iraqi Kurdistan region, said the Iranian foreign minister. Salehi also called on the two sides' private sectors to play a more active role in promoting economic cooperation between the two sides. On recent claims by US secretary of state about resumption of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Salehi said “We have heard lots of similar remarks by Americans but regretfully they usually make contradictory comments to this effect.” The Americans call for resumption of bilateral relations with Iran but their actions contradict with their words, he said. As long as the Americans refuse to be sincere and honest, negotiations wilnot bear any fruit, underlined Salehi. After triumph of the Islamic Revolution, 'We have proved that we are an independent state and this has upheld our global status and dignity,” he said. “We want to have diplomatic relations with all countries except the illegitimate Zionist regime,” he said. Resumption of ties require the two sides to enter into talks without any preconditions while enjoying equal rights, he said. It seems that time is not ripe for resumption of ties between Iran and the US as the Americans still continue their hegemonic policy in dealing with other countries of the world, he said. We hope that rationality would prevail in US foreign policy and this would help resolve many global issues, Salehi said.