Tehran, Jan 23, SPA -- Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki has reiterated the readiness of his country to play a constructive role for enhancing cooperation among the states of the gulf region. Mottaki, who was speaking at a forum on the economic crisis in the west here today, said the Iranian foreign policy gives priority to the principle of mutual respect and constructive dealing with neighboring countries. He hoped that the free trade cooperation with the GCC member states would be based on logic and mutual respect. Mottaki criticized the US policy in the region in the last four decades and described it as an arrogant policy, adding that the US dealt with the nations and governments in the last four decades through its fleets, but the style of resorting to force is no longer valid. On the Israeli aggression on Gaza strip, Mottaki said each government and nation has the right to defend itself, and it will be a normal matter for the Palestinian people to defend themselves. Meanwhile, he pointed out that the policy of imposing sanctions on Iran has become ineffective in the light of the fact that Tehran has been going on the path of self-sufficiency in all domains.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/628738