Rowhani extends hand to Gulf

MUSCAT: Iranian President Hassan Rowhani sought Thursday to mend fences with Gulf countries, who are distrustful of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and its support to the Syrian regime.
Rowhani, winding up a two-day visit to Oman, said Tehran offered “a hand of fraternity to all the countries of the region.”
“Relations with one country should not grow at the expense of another. We want to see the countries of the region live in peace, understanding and friendship,” Rowhani said in Muscat. “Cooperation and rapprochement would benefit the whole region,” said Rowhani, adding that his country is “open to investors from the region, especially Omanis.”
In a meeting with university professors, Rowhani denounced “terrorism” and called for dialogue to coordinate the fight against it.
“All differences can be resolved through dialogue,” he said, pointing out that talks had helped end the deadlock in Iran’s nuclear negotiations with Western countries.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also made fresh overtures to the Gulf countries.
“Our message to the other countries of the Gulf is a message of friendship, fraternity and cooperation,” Zarif said.