By Staff, Agencies Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged all neighboring states to stand shoulder to shoulder against foreign interference in regional affairs and work collectively to safeguard the region and its strategic waters. “Through the expansion of cooperation, we should establish security in the region, particularly in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and should not allow foreigners to interfere,” Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi in Tehran on Tuesday.

Iran unveiled an initiative for regional security — known as Hormuz Peace Endeavor [HOPE] — with the purpose of boosting regional security, Rouhani added.

The Iranian president was referring to the plan he introduced to the world leaders in September at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, where he took the podium to invite all countries affected by tensions in the Gulf region to join a coalition meant to enhance friendship and promote “peace, stability, progress and welfare” for regional nations.

He further added that Iran sees no problem in expanding ties with its neighbors and resuming diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, saying all countries should stand together in order to ensure security and stability in the region.

Elsewhere, Rouhani hailed Tehran’s cordial relations with Muscat in different fields and said the Islamic Republic “attaches special significance to the expansion of ties and cooperation with its neighbors, particularly with Oman.” He also drew attention to the crisis in Yemen as one of the most important issues facing the region and said “the [Saudi-led] war on Yemen has had no achievement but destruction, massacre of people, hatred and grudge between the two countries’ nations and threats to Yemen’s territorial integrity.” “Despite their superficial claims, Europe and the US are unfortunately not interested in the restoration of peace to Yemen because they have been able to sell huge amounts of arms,” Rouhani added.

He stressed the importance of promoting cordial relations among regional countries and nations, saying, “We should all make efforts to end the war in Yemen as soon as possible and bring stability and security to this country in the framework of Yemen-Yemeni peace talks.” Rouhani also called for humanitarian aid delivery to the Yemeni people and expressed hope that peace efforts by Iran and Oman would lead to the establishment of peace, stability and security in the region and the enhancement of friendship and brotherhood among nations