Tasnim � Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted Saudi Arabia�s wrong policy to depend on foreign countries and said the Islamic Republic never buys or sells security like a commodity but rather derives its security and power from its own people.

�Some countries see their future and security hinged upon dependence and regard security as something purchasable, and think that they can maintain their security by paying money and buying weapons and learn nothing from history,� Zarif said, addressing a gathering to mark the Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Day in Tehran on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia once gave the regime of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein $75 bln to use in the bloody war the latter imposed on Iran from 1980 to 1988, Zarif said.

�How come it (Saudi Arabia) did not realize that money does not bring security,� he said, adding, �After that (financing the Iraqi war), Saddam used the same weapons (it had bought with the money) against Saudi Arabia itself.�

The Iranian top diplomat further slammed Riyadh for pinning its hopes on Tel Aviv to receive security, saying the Saudis hope that the Israeli regime�s so-called �Iron Dome�, which cannot counter Hamas missiles, would defend them.

This is in stark contrast to the discourse that Islamic Republic of Iran has introduced to the world, Zarif said, adding, �We never buy security, nor do we sell security because we derive our security, development, and legitimacy from (our) people.�

In recent years, the Middle East has been plagued with Takfiri terrorist groups like Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), which are believed to have been created and supported by the West and some regional Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia.

However, Iran is considered by many experts as the �island of stability� in a region which faces many security challenges.

In August 2016, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei highlighted the strong security in Iran despite crises and insecurity in the region.

�Thank God and through the appreciated efforts and endeavors of the military and security forces, the country enjoys a strong security shield while regional countries are filled with incidents and insecurity,� the Leader said.