The virus of violence and terrorism is spreading across the world and all should joinhandsagainst this dangerous virus, President Rouhani said in a Monday meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in Tehran.
Irans resolve to settle nuclear issue
The Iranian president reaffirmed the Islamic Republics firm determination to settle Teheran's nuclear issue through negotiations, saying Tehran holds nuclear talks with the P5+1 countries based on respect and observation of international regulations while using peaceful nuclear technology for development.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized that the path of pressure and economic sanctions is a wrong path and will be detrimental to all, Rouhani said.
Iran and the P5+1 countries the US, France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany -- are seeking to finalize a comprehensive deal on Tehrans nuclear program by the end of June. The two sides reached a mutual understanding in Lausanne, Switzerland, on April 2.
Iran-South Africa ties
Rouhani said Iran and South Africa have very close relations and expressed Tehrans readiness to improve economic cooperation with the African nation.
He said the two countries enjoy proper grounds for bolstering economic cooperation and international relations, adding, The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to further expand mutualconsultations and cooperation.
Yemen war
The Iranian president stressed the importance of assisting nations gripped bycivil war and foreign aggression, particularly the Yemeni people.
A military attack is not the solution to domestic problems of countries, and the chance should be given to different groups to hold talks with each other. On the other hand, safe conditions should be created to conduct relief and rescue operations for the injured, Rouhani stated.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"]
A gunman loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh stands amid the wreckage of Saleh's residence following reported airstrikes on his residence, on May 10, 2015, in the capital Sanaa. AFP[/caption]Saudi Arabia started its military aggression against Yemen on March 26 - without a UN mandate - in a bid to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement and to restore power to Yemens fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who is a staunch ally of Riyadh.
According to the latest UN figures, the Saudi military campaign has so far claimed the lives of over 1,400 people and injured close to 6,000 people, roughly half of whom have been civilians.
Saudi Arabia has been blocking the delivery of relief supplies to the war-stricken people of Yemen in defiance of calls by international aid groups.
South Africas stance on Iran nuclear issue
The South African minister said her country pursues a clear stance on support for Irans right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
She said South Africabacks without any condition the policy of Tehran on nuclear negotiations, stressing that her country has always opposed unilateral sanctions against Iran.
South Africa believes that sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program have not been imposed based on international norms, Nkoana-Mashabane said, and added thebans have been detrimentalto her country as well.
By Press TV
