Satisfied with India's handling of Prophet comments row: Iran

Iran is 'satisfied' with India's efforts in handling those responsible for comments against the prophet, foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has said. On his first visit to India since he was appointed last year, Abdollahian discussed the issue with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Iranian foreign ministry in a statement later said that Abdollahian was satisfied with the response he received.

Abdollahian hailed the Indian people and government for 'respect for divine faiths' and also for the 'religious tolerance, historical coexistence and friendship' among followers of various religions in the country in his meeting with Doval. Iran had summoned India's ambassador to convey its protest over BJP's now sacked spokesperson Nupur Sharma's remarks against the prophet.

'America Wants Iran to Recognise Israel'


Abdollahian claimed during a meeting with scholars in New Delhi on Thursday that the United States knew Iran would not develop a nuclear bomb but American economic sanctions were to pressure Tehran to recognise Israel and end its support for the Palestine cause.

The statement on nuclear bomb is significant amid Iran's row with IAEA. The International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors had in its recent meeting in Vienna censured Iran for 'failing to account for nuclear material at undeclared sites'. Iran responded to it on Wednesday by switching off two IAEA surveillance cameras meant to check uranium enrichment at a nuclear site. Iran denies the existence of hidden or undocumented nuclear activities or sites.

Abdolahian had tweeted earlier this week that he spoke to UN foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell and reiterated that a "good, strong and lasting" agreement was within reach if the US, France, Germany and Italy were 'realistic.' "Those who push for an anti-Iran resolution at IAEA will be responsible for all the consequences," he said.

Abdolahian briefed his counterpart S Jaishankar on the current situation pertaining to JCPOA on Wednesday. The two exchanged views on Ukraine and its repercussions. Both sides acknowledged the significance of bilateral cooperation for regional connectivity and reviewed the progress made at the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar port. The sides agreed that the port has provided access to landlocked Afghanistan and has emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region, including Central Asia. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue to cooperate on the port's development. Teams from both countries will meet soon to address operational aspects, an MEA statement said.

The ministers also discussed international and regional issues, including Afghanistan, and the sides reaffirmed importance of providing immediate humanitarian assistance to people of Afghanistan and reiterated the need for a inclusive system in Afghanistan.