Foreign ministers of Jordan, Iran discuss bilateral relations by phone

AMMAN, Jordan

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safedi and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian discussed bilateral relations in a phone call, Jordanian diplomatic sources said Monday.

The ministers discussed ways to establish relations that would serve the interests of both countries and the peoples in the region, said a statement released by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.

Safedi and Amir-Abdollahian also exchanged views on ways to resolve regional crises and ensure peace and stability in the region, the statement noted.

Safedi furthermore underlined his country’s willingness for healthy intra-regional relations based on the principle of good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs, according to the statement.

Both Safedi and Amir-Abdollahian also expressed their willingness to contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and maintain an open dialogue.

The phone conversation took place in a period in which Amman has taken steps towards normalizing relations with Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime.

In the 1980s, when the Iran-Iraq war took place, Jordan sided with Baghdad and avoided establishing good relations with Tehran.

Jordan is among the countries that accuse Iran of pursuing expansionist policies in the region and interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk