Prague - Iran wants to become part of a broad international coalition that could face the danger represented by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This stance of Tehran was confirmed by the Iranian vice Foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, on visit to Prague.
"It is a terrorist organization," Takht-Ravanchi stressed. "It is endangering not only one or two countries but the whole international community as well. Many Europeans have joined the organization and after the fighting will be finished there, they could come back home and become a nightmare for the people of Europe."
In his opinion, it is necessary tu unite against this danger and that’s also why he has come to Prague to talk, under other, with the Czech government. The cabinet of Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has already approved a plan to deliver arms to the Iraqi Kurds fighting the ISIS in Northern Iraq.
"Regional and international cooperation is the key to a successful solving of the problem," Takht-Ravanchi continued. "The danger could be overcome only by the joint efforts of many countries."
Iran as a primarily shia country considers the ISIS a danger for shiites in the whole region.
A certain problem represents the stance of Tehran toward the regime of Syrian prezident Bashar Assad. Iran has been supporting Assad for many years whereas Western countries don’t want to cooperate with him because of the brutality with which he oppresses the Syrian opposition.
Assad is presenting himself as a fighter against terrorism and radical Islam, but he has for long played into the hands of ISIS to discredit the moderate opposition and show that anybody fighting him is a terrorist.
"We all should understand well the problem and we should define this problem clearly," Takht-Ravanchi said. "In our opinion, it was not the case until now. The international community has been for long closing its eyes to the existence of the Islamic state in Syria."
Just now, after the ISIS had launched an attack against the Kurd territory, many people in Irak have understood how large this danger is, the Iranian vice-minister stressed.
The relations between the Czech Republic and Iran were harmed by the broadcasting of exile Radio Azadi, started in 1998, based in Prague and financed by the United States.
The diplomatic representation of both countries was since then reduced to the level of charge d’affaires. Takht-Ravanchi hasn’t ruled out that the Czech-Iranian relations at the ambassadorial level could be restored some day.
"We are interested in more contacts with the Czech Republic," he said. His is the first visit of a high-ranking Iranian representative in Prague after seven years.
