TEHRAN – On Thursday, Iran slammed the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council which has labeled Hezbollah a terrorist organization, saying this is a “new mistake” that runs contrary to the Islamic world’s interests and targets the peace and security of Lebanon.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said Hezbollah is symbol of “resistance against occupation and racism of the Zionism” and it achieved the first victory of Muslims and Arabs over Israel.

According to Press TV, the six-nation Arab bloc [Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates] issued a statement on Wednesday calling Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

-----‘Terrorist designation targets Lebanese security’

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also said, “Those who call Hezbollah terrorist have targeted unity and security in Lebanon intentionally and unintentionally.”

Calling Hezbollah a terrorist group is a “new mistake” that does not benefit stability and security in the Middle East region.

The official said Hezbollah is “the forerunner in fighting terrorism in the region” and Iran is proud of this.

“Supporting Lebanon’s national unity, security, stability and all the Lebanese groups’ integrity are the Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled policy,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

Persian Gulf Arab nations, under Saudi influence, have taken a series of measures against Hezbollah since Riyadh last month halted a $4bn program funding French military supplies to Beirut.

Riyadh would be conducting “a comprehensive review of its relations with the Lebanese republic”, the unnamed official told the AFP news agency.

He specifically cited Lebanon’s refusal to join the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in condemning attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran in January.

Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran after a group of demonstrators attacked its embassy in Tehran consulate in Mashhad following the Saudi execution of a prominent Shia cleric.

In a televised speech on Tuesday Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said “The (Saudi) kingdom is trying to put pressure on the Lebanese to try to silent us but we will not be silent on the crimes the Saudis are committing in Yemen and elsewhere.”

“Does Saudi Arabia have the right to punish Lebanon, its state and its army because a certain party has decided to raise its voice?” he asked.

“If they have a problem with us, let them keep it with us, and let them spare Lebanon and the Lebanese,” Nasrallah added.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Morteza Sarmadi also told Sputnik on Wednesday that such a move by (P)GCC
serves Israel’s interests.

“We condemn the (P)GCC’s statement on recognizing Hezbollah a terrorist organization,” Sarmadi said.
He said terrorist organizations in the area are known to everyone, but Hezbollah is a party that contradicts Israel’s policies.

Calling the resistance movement a terrorist organization “is part of the plot against the resistance and serves Israel’s purposes,” Sarmadi said.

NA/PA