TEHRAN - The best way for Iran to counter the West’s cultural invasion is to counterattack in the same manner, former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati said on Thursday.

Velayati, who is currently the Supreme Leader’s advisor for foreign affairs, made the remarks at a cultural conference in Tehran.
Certain Western countries have been trying to negatively influence the cultures of Muslim countries through their media outlets, television networks, and websites, and thus it is necessary to respond to their evil efforts through cultural measures, Velayati stated.
He added that efforts should be made to introduce Islam and present its message to the entire world.
Foreign Ministry, ICRO should expand cooperation
Speaking at the same conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said a document on “strategic joint cooperation” between the Foreign Ministry and the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) should be drafted.
ICRO is responsible for cultural diplomacy and it has an important responsibility, and thus cooperation between the Foreign Ministry and ICRO should be “strong and meaningful,” Salehi stated.
“Diplomacy has various aspects, such as cultural diplomacy, which is important, and no policy in the international arena can work unless it operates together with strong cultural diplomacy,” he added.