A senior Iranian official has underscored the significance of cultural ties among Islamic countries, saying the cultural relations between Iran and Iraq have terrified Zionists and the hegemonic powers.

�The Iraqi government and nation�s bonds with Iran are real,� said Secretary of Iran�s Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei on Thursday in a ceremony to open the first Iraqi cultural center in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

He said the relations between the two countries have terrified Zionists and the hegemonic powers �as they have realized that this relationship can be a platform for the growth of a united Islamic culture.�

Deep and unbreakable historical and cultural ties have existed between the nations of Iran and Iraq from the past up until now, Rezaei said, adding, �These ties will be strengthened with the establishment of Iraq�s cultural center in Tehran.�

He expressed hope that the opening of the Iraqi cultural center will serve as a model for other Islamic countries to follow suit.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian official said, �The global hegemony and Zionism have been targeting the unity of the Islamic world for a while� and �have sought to continue the project of [instigating] division and insecurity in the Islamic world� in an attempt to �prevent the emergence of Islamic civilization in the region and the world.�

He stressed that the problems in Syria, Iraq and Yemen will be resolved through �the unity of the Islamic world and the promotion of Islamic culture in the world.�

By Press TV