TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior Iranian legislator blasted Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta for his insulting comments against the former government in Tehran, saying that his remarks set an instance of interference in Iran's domestic affairs.


Letta on Monday hailed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's diplomatic opening as "an opportunity" that should not be passed up and said Iran could help resolve the conflict in Syria.

"I think it would be in everyone's interests to bet on the success of the reforms" in Iran, Letta said, claiming that "much of the regional instability of these years has been linked to Iran and the choices made by (former Iranian president Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad”.

Referring to Ahmadinejad's successor, Rouhani, and his diplomatic overtures, Letta said, "our view is that an opportunity is opening and there is no doubt that the impact on the events in Syria can be positive" and Italy had "more chance than others" to build better ties with Iran because of historical links.

In response member of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Avaz Heidarpour condemned the remarks, and said, “The comments by the Italian prime minister is an offensive launched against the Islamic Republic’s macro policies.”

Stressing that former President Ahmadinejad’s foreign policy was based on the Islamic Republic’s macro policies, he said, “The Italian prime minister’s interfering literature has no effect on Iran’s foreign policy.”

Heidarpour warned Letta of the Iranian foreign ministry’s harsh reaction to his continued meddling in Iran’s internal affairs.

Letta’s comments were made after Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino traveled to Tehran on an official two-day trip at the head of a high-ranking political delegation.

Bonino arrived in Tehran last Saturday afternoon for an official visit which included meetings with senior Iranian officials.

Bonino's two-day trip to the Iranian capital took place to reciprocate Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's recent visit to Italy.

Bonino in a meeting with President Rouhani stressed Iran’s key role in the region, and said her country is eager to use Tehran’s experiences and potentials in settling the regional crises.

During the meeting on Sunday, Bonino said that “Italy while contributing to the promotion of Iran-Europe ties, hopes to be able to have joint cooperation with Iran in solving regional issues”.

Italy is eager to expand cooperation with Iran in economic, industrial, energy, tourism, science and research domains, she added.

By Fars News Agency

 

The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.