May 1, The Iran Project � While Saudi Arabia has been in isolation, Iran can use the capacities of the [P]GCC states to strengthen its relations with the neighboring countries through active diplomacy, says an Iranian lawmaker.

Speaking to a reporter on Monday, Mohammad Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated that Persian Gulf Cooperation Council was established by the imperialistic countries to confront the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Rezaei added that the council's policy is beyond strengthening national security of Arabic countries and in line with damaging and weakening Iran.

Now that Saudi Arabia has failed in taking advantage of the capacity of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council member states in various fields, [P]GCC states realized that Iran dose not pose a threat to them and even in some cases they need the country, he noted.

Relations between Tehran and some of the [P]GCC countries have suffered over the past two years amid reciprocal accusations of involvement in regional conflicts, most notably in Syria and Yemen.

Despite tensions, the Islamic Republic has welcomed the prospect of d�tente, with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif saying on February 7 that Iran was ready for cooperation with all countries, especially its neighbors.