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22 December 2011 - 22:12

At a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi held Tuesday, the members of national security and foreign policy commission of the Majlis (Parliament) censured some foreign visits paid by him and his diplomatic delegation.

According to Khabar Online correspondent, during a three-hour session with Foreign Minister and his deputies, the lawmakers discussed on the latest developments in the Middle East region and the recent measures adopted by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Ministry toward them.
 
Speaking on Iran ties with Saudi Arabia and the travels made by Iranian Minister of Intelligence Heydar Moslehi to the Arabian country Salehi said: "The travel was aimed at debating on security problems of the region and finding appropriate resolution based on the mutual interests of both countries."
 
On the details of the meeting, Mohammad Karami Raad, a member of national security commission told ICANA (Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency): "It was routine a session held between the members of national security commission and the officials of Foreign Ministry as Mr. Salehi and his deputies attended that meeting to exchange their views with the lawmakers."
 
 "The Foreign Minister presented a detailed report on the current issues at stake in the Middle East which was supplemented by accounts his deputies gave based on their responsibilities and missions," he added.
 
"Following the session, Foreign Minister explained about the latest appointments in the Ministry including those of Mr. Abbas Araqchi and the other officials who had attended the session," the representative of Kermanshah city in the Majlis stated.
 
The other member of the commission, Parviz Sorouri also said: "At this meeting the Foreign Minister responded to criticisms lawmakers made against some of his foreign visits."
 
Earlier in an interview with the Iranian daily Shargh, Hussein Ibrahim, the vice president of the national security and foreign policy commission suggested that “It is Iran's natural right to target the missile defense shield system in Turkey in case of an attack, and we will definitely resort to that.”
 
Iranian officials view the defense shield system established by NATO in Turkey as a preemptive measure taken by the West powers fearing of the Islamic Republic’s retaliatory actions including launching long-range missile attacks to counter the possible assault of the Zionist regime.  
 
Following Ankara's demand from Tehran for an explanation over the remarks by Ebrahimi, Salehi in spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and reaffirmed deep ties of friendship and fraternity between countries, adding Iran has already warned those responsible for feckless remarks against Turkey, Turkish daily Today's Zaman reported.
 
The former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Salehi became the caretaker of Foreign Ministry and then Foreign Minister in February. He replaced Manouchehr Mottaki whom was controversially dismissed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
 
 Formerly, almost two months after Salehi’s appointment, his actions came under the scrutiny of the lawmakers criticizing the positions taken by the ministry on the Arabian revolutions in the Middle East saying Iran diplomatic measures have not been able to keep pace with the developments in the region.
 

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