TEHRAN - In a meeting with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani said it is necessary to take steps at regional and international level to stop the “Daesh-making factory”

Iran views Saudi Arabia as the main financier and ideological supporter of extremists groups, which have mushroomed under the names of Daesh, al-Nura Front, al-Qaeda, etc.

Shamkhani also said Saudi Arabia should select either to support Takfiri groups to destabilize the region or step onto the path towards the real cooperation, security, and stability.

The top Iranian security official also praised Germany’s constructive role in intensive nuclear talks between Iran and great powers which produced the landmark July 14 agreement, saying the situation is now ripe for accelerating the process of economic cooperation between Tehran and Berlin.

He said Tehran’s principled policies in the region as well as its efforts to create a calm atmosphere for investment have provided incentives for foreigner to take steps to invest in the country.

The official further said it is necessary to prevent efforts by Saudi Arabia, Israel and extremists in the U.S. who seek to hamper the implementation of the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Elsewhere in his talks with Schroder, Shamkhani said Iran will take serious action against those who “illegally” attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran on January 2.

He added Tehran is faithful to its commitments according to the international conventions on protecting diplomatic compounds.

--Germany shuns moves that inflame religious conflict--

For his part, the German politician said his country and European states are against fanning the flames of religious conflicts in the region.

Schroder then appreciated Iran’s political, military and security efforts to deal with threats posed by terrorist groups.

He also called for expansion of cultural and economic cooperation between the two nations after the removal of sanctions against Iran.

------ Zarif says Iran considers Riyadh’s acts as examples of naivety, passivity

In a separate meeting with Schroder, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran views “tension-making approaches” of Saudi Arabia as examples of “naivety and passive behavior”.

He said extremist Takfiri acts are the main problem in the region, adding that Saudi Arabia is backing extremists financially and ideologically.

The foreign minister also said Iran pursues a “responsible” and “constructive” approach toward the Syrian conflicts and is aware of this fact that dialogue is the best remedy to the Syrian wound.

He and Schroder also talked about the nuclear deal, stressed that Iran-Germany ties will strengthen after the implementation of the deal.

------ Schroder, Rafsanjani discuss regional issues

The former German official met Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as well.

Schroder stated that Iran-U.S. talks can be very handy in improving peace and stability in the Middle East.

Rafsanjani, for his part, stressed that Iran and Germany should boost their economic and cultural cooperation right after the removal of sanctions.

Schroder also met former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as well to discuss regional and international affairs.

During the meeting, Ahmadinejad said the world today is in need of fundamental changes which require international cooperation.

SP/P