IRNA � Iran has always supported the Muslims in the world, said the spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday.

'In the contacts we have with the Chinese government, we try to discuss the issue and solve the problems, if any, and try to have a positive role,' said Bahram Qasemi answering a question about US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's Twitter message, claiming that China 'has persecuted and detained hundreds of thousands of its Muslim citizens' and Iran has been 'totally silent'.

'His remarks shouldn�t be taken seriously; no honest words come out of the mouths of the ignorant rulers of the US and their aim is only to tarnish the face of Iran.'

Regarding the trilateral meeting of Iran, Afghanistan, and India and its effects on the sanctions, he said, 'Each country determines its own policies; and considering the regional and global issues, we hope that such meetings, consultations and contacts will have a positive effect on Iran and will be against the bullying policies of the United States.'