UK premier remarks propaganda: Intelligence minister

Tehran, Dec 11, IRNA - UK Prime Minister Theresa May's anti-Iran remarks are propaganda, Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Tehran Security Conference, he noted that the Islamic Republic has not tied any aspect of its existence including its security and economy to Western states and therefore they cannot define the roadmap for us. Regional countries including the Islamic Republic should decide on their internal issues based on their interest and security, the official added. He said UK premier remarks have no effect on Iran and we would continue our way based on our national security and interests. Iran's security is tied to the security of other countries, Alavi added. He noted that Iran believes that the security of its neighbors and other West Asian countries is its own security. Iran is ready for cooperation and consultation with the countries in the West Asia to take practical steps for the region's security, Alavi noted. He said that fighting terrorism is Iran's top priority and combating the root causes of it are more important than fighting the terrorists. The Emergence of terrorism in the region has roots in the big powers' greedy intentions and they do their best to destabilize the region to materialize their goals, Alavi added. He noted that to counter the big power's destabilizing role, regional countries should try to ensure sustainable security in the regional states through collective cooperation. Zionists and world arrogance are trying to destabilize the region, Alavi said. He praised holding the Tehran Security Conference as an opportunity for discussing security issues in the West Asia. Tehran Security Conference opened in the Iranian capital on December 11 in the presence of delegations from regional countries to examine avenues to maintain sustainable security in the region. 1378/IRNA