TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Threats of more sanctions on Iran for its peaceful nuclear activities are being made in line with Washington’s plans for a ‘Greater Middle East’ and to impede the advance of the Islamic world, Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said on Thursday. Speaking at a meeting with the visiting Prime Minister of Syria Muhammad Naji al-Otri, the speaker called for strengthening of Tehran-Damascus strategic and cordial relations "particularly at this critical juncture in developments in the Islamic world and Middle East."

The speaker stressed that promotion of ties with Muslim nations, defense of rights of the oppressed Palestinian nation and confrontation of bullying powers were basic principles of Iranian foreign policy. Referring to the White House’s multiple plots to sow discord among Muslim nations, Haddad-Adel regretted that the "Americans who entered the region only under the ‘charade’ of bringing democracy and freedom are now sowing discord among Shia and Sunni Muslims." The speaker said that Iran and Syria, as influential nations in the region, should be vigilant and strive to thwart the "satanic" plots of the U.S.

He stressed that cordial and strong relations among regional countries, Iran, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon in particular, can serve as a chain that can effectively imprison enemies and prevent them from realizing their plots.

The Syrian premier, who arrived in Iran Wednesday, praised current the trend of increasing Tehran-Damascus strategic ties, and noted that there was a joint determination to further strengthen ties. Al-Otri said that a struggle was now taking place in the region "between the forces of power and those of logic."

"Hegemonic powers are trying to impose their will on Muslim nations but these nations will demonstrate that negotiation is the only way to achieve peace and stability in the region," stressed the Syrian official.

He added that Iran and Syria can use their strategic ties to confront challenges and pressures made to bear on Muslim nations.