Iran denies Arab League accusation of Mideast meddling

Tehran rejects criticism by Arab leaders, claiming summit should focus on ‘Zionist regime’ instead of its own exploits

TEHRAN — Iran strongly denied any meddling on Thursday after Arab leaders condemned “foreign interference” in their affairs in a clear reference to the Islamic republic.

Arab heavyweight Saudi Arabia has been at loggerheads with Iran over the conflicts in Syria and Yemen and political unrest in Bahrain, and the final statement from Wednesday’s Arab summit in Jordan again hit out at Iran, without naming it.

Iran has “said repeatedly it does not need to intervene in the domestic affairs of other countries and always abides by the principles of good neighbourliness and respect for the sovereignty of governments,” foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said.

“We cannot, however, hide our deep sorrow for some Arab and Islamic leaders, who instead of dealing with the most important crises in the region and the Muslim world… go astray and fail to distinguish friend from foe, either intentionally or by mistake.

“It’s very regrettable that some are trying to change reality and replace the Zionist regime (Israel) with Islamic Iran as an illusory and fabricated enemy,” he added.

Twenty-one kings, presidents and top officials from the Arab League summit pose for a group photo, at a gathering near the Dead Sea in Jordan on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. (AP Photo/ Raad Adayleh)