IRNA � The Islamic Republic of Iran has paid big price of sanctions and war for adopting independent foreign policy, the Head of Iran's Foreign Policy Strategic Council said.

Kamal Kharrazi made the remarks Monday night while addressing an Iran foreign policy meeting held in Beijing International Studies University.

Recent developments over the last decade such as Arab revolutions, emergence of takfiri terrorism in the region, Iran nuclear deal with P5+1 and US administration's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) have directly influenced Iran's domestic and foreign policies, he said.

Referring to developments in Arab countries, he expressed opposition to other countries' intervention in internal affairs of these countries.

Iran was against intervention of US and some European and regional countries which led to the toppling Muammar Al Gaddafi in Libya, he said.

Iran resisted interference of rich Arab countries in Syria and their support for terrorist groups aimed at changing the Syrian government, he added.

Iran's presence in Syria was for two reasons, first Syrian crisis which had been designed by foreign countries in a way that in a short period of time terrorist groups were deployed in that country to topple the government, second Western officials especially Americans had announced that they were seeking the collapse of the Syrian government with the aim of dealing a blow to Iran, Kharrazi said.

The Syrian government asked for Iranian help to fight against terrorist groups and safeguard its country and Iran helped them to preserve the status quo and maintain stability in the region, he added.

Iran also prevented the imminent collapse of Baghdad in the hands of Daesh, he reiterated.

Based on the evidence, US and some regional countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Turkey played role in developing terrorism through their financial, information and armed supports.

Organizing and supporting terrorist groups like Daesh and alliance of US and some rich regional countries are aimed at dealing a blow to non-aligned countries.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kharrazi referred to US presence in Afghanistan, saying stability in the country is not US priority.

The US tends to continue its interventionist approach against Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan and Central Asia.

Iran foreign policy in Afghanistan is to help restore stability through consultations with Afghanistan's neighboring countries.