ISIL threats remain in place, says Iran FM in Russia

TEHRAN, Feb. 19 (MNA) – Mohammad Javad Zarif said in the Valdai Club Conference in Moscow Monday that while ISIL has lost its territories in Iraq and Syria, its threats have remained in place. Addressing the participants at the Valdai Discussion Club dubbed 'Russia in the Middle East: Playing on All Fields,' Iranian foreign minister said there should be collective efforts to eradicate extremism and terrorism. While Zarif expressed his satisfaction with the governments of Iraq and Syria in their fight against ISIL, he said that the ISIL is still a threat to the security of the region. Later in his remarks, he pointed to the crisis in Yemen, saying that the violent situation in Yemen got worse when a military solution was pursued. He reiterated his opposition to a military solution to Yemeni crisis and called for dialogue as a real solution. Elsewhere, Iranian foreign minister stressed that nobody will be able take control of the Persian Gulf region alone, calling for collective security and cooperation.