Mehmanparast: US, world’s major advocate of terrorism

The United States is the world’s major advocate of terrorism, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Wednesday. He made the remarks while commenting on US claims in its State Department's annual report about Iran’s alleged role in sponsoring terrorism. Condemning the claims, Mehmanparast said they were 'absurd.' Recalling the US role in formation of al-Qaeda as well as Washington's long-time support for that terrorist group, he said such moves prove that US has paved the way for spread of ominous terrorism phenomenon in the world. 'The US support for the Zionist regime, by itself, is enough to prove that the country is the major sponsor of terrorism,” Mehmanparast stressed. He reiterated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the “main victim of terrorism that has paid due attention to cooperation with international community against terrorism.' Tehran has always stressed the need for combating the ominous phenomenon with the help of all countries without any discrimination and has called it an international mandate and duty, Mehmanparast emphasized. The spokesman added that Iran has always been a major critic of the US and West’s double standards on terrorism.