Iran Not After Establishing An Empire: Rezaei

Tehran, Sept 10, IRNA – Iran is not after establishing a Persian empire, Secretary of Iranˈs Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei said on Wednesday. Speaking in a local ceremony, he added those who accuse Iran of attempting to establish an empire aim to depict Tehran as a threat against its neighbors. Rezaei referred to the crimes of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (known as Daesh) in the region and said that the Zionist regime and its allies created the terrorist group to provoke division among Muslims. He also rejected recent anti-Iran comments by the American politician Henry Kissinger saying Iran has no reason's to create an empire or a puppet government. Referring to Iran's rich history and ancient civilization, Rezaei said Iran is the main obstacle on the way of West as the country has a deep influence on other regional states thanks to its ancient civilization. Kissinger, 91, claimed that Iran "is a bigger problem than Daesh" terrorist group. "As Iran has a stronger footing in the Middle East, it has a greater opportunity to create an empire," the former US secretary of state claimed in an interview with the US National Public Radio (NPR) which was released on September 6./end