TEHRAN – The Iranian deputy foreign minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs has said that a nuclear agreement will help boost peace and security in the world.

Ebrahim Rahimpour made the remarks in an address to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Russian city of Ufa on Friday.

Rahimpour described the nuclear talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) as “the most important international negotiations” in the 21th century.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he noted that expansion of relations with all the countries, specifically the neighboring ones, is a foreign policy priority for Iran.

Rahimpour also stated that Iran plays an important role in establishing security in the Mideast region.

Commenting on ISIL, he said the terrorist group does not follow Islam or any other religion.

The deputy foreign minister went on to say that Iran condemns support for extremist groups under any political motivation.

NA/PA