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24 December 2012 - 15:27

Iran enjoys a strong regional clout based on cultural commonalities with other countries, an Iranian lawmaker said.

Iran's influence on the regional countries has helped it walk the path of peace and stability and, unlike the West, steer clear of meddling in the internal affairs of other states, Member of the Parliament's Presiding Board Javad Jahangirzadeh said on Sunday.

Jahangirzadeh went on to say that by spending large sums and deploying troops under the pretext of fighting terrorism, no country can influence the cultural structure of another country and shape it after its own model.

Last week, s top military aide of The Iranian Supreme Leader said Iran is playing a key role in the region and the world powers have no option but to acknowledge Iran's influence.

"Major powers and regional ones have no other option but to deal with Iran if they want to have a share of regional interests," senior Military Aide to the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said on Tuesday.

He added that Iran's geographical situation has gifted Iran unrivaled power.

"The Persian Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz are influential on economic, political, and cultural issues (of the world) and are very effective from various viewpoints in the world," he stated.

In relevant remarks earlier this month, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Iran enjoys such a powerful and vast regional influence that it cannot be ignored by the world powers

"In the past, Iran had been known as a US-backed power … but today it has reached a point that no world power can ignore its influence in the region," Larijani said at the time.

"Today, Ian has achieved a scientific and technological power that the West has resorted to adventurist moves against the Iranian nuclear and missile academy in the last few years to hinder this growing scientific trend," the Iranian speaker said.
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News ID 183738