Press TV - Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani says terrorism and its root causes are to blame for the existing crisis across the Middle East and are hindering progress of Muslim countries.

"The threat of terrorism and its root causes such as the Takfiri ideology, which is promoted by certain countries, have caused crisis for the entire region and are a big obstacle in the path of Muslim countries' growth and progress," Shamkhani said in a meeting with Azerbaijan's Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and his accompanying delegation in Tehran on Monday.

He lashed out at the United States and the Israeli regime for pursuing policies aimed at sowing discord among neighboring countries.
"It is necessary to maintain vigilance and increase interactions and constructive dialogues to neutralize destructive efforts by ill-wishers who aim to create skepticism and rift among regional countries," the senior Iranian security official said.
Shamkhani added that illegal sanctions imposed by the United States have been turned into a tool in the hands of US President Donald Trump to take revenge on opposing countries.

"However, the past experience has showed�that such actions are not effective but only lead to further isolation of the US among�the international community," Shamkhani pointed out.

The Azerbaijani minister, for his part, condemned a recent terrorist attack in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz and expressed his sympathy with the Iranian government and people over the bitter incident.

Usubov said Iran and Azerbaijan are facing common threats emanating from the creation of Takfiri terrorist groups and their measures.

He expressed his country's keenness to make use of Iran's valuable experience in the fight against terrorism and ways to counter possible terror threats.

Terrorists on Saturday opened fire at a crowd of people during a military parade in Ahvaz, killing 25 military personnel and civilians � including women and children � and wounding at least 68 others.

Masses of Iranian people and government officials on Monday participated in a funeral procession for the victims of the terrorist attack in Ahvaz.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday Iran will severely punish those �cowardly� elements who were behind the terrorist attack in Ahvaz.

Describing the attack on defenseless people as an act of cowardice, the Leader noted, �According to [available] reports, this cowardly act has been perpetrated by the same people who are saved by Americans whenever they face a difficult situation in Iraq and Syria� and whose operations are being financed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.