Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in Tehran on Saturday voiced deep sorrow over ongoing crisis in Yemen, while strongly condemning military action against the country.

'The will and determination of nations and not air raids are effective and important in battles and campaigns,' said Rafsanjani in a meeting with a group of present and former ministers, members of Majlis, academics, bank officials and other dignitaries.

He said unfortunately, certain Arab states have committed heinous and dangerous mistakes under vain pretexts and through blind and aimless bombardments on Yemen which means they are playing with fire, which will have no result but fomenting tension in the region and sacrificing many civilians.

Referring to formation of coalition of several Arab states led by Saudi Arabia, Rafsanjani said heads of the state, having failed to take the least effective move against the Zionist regime for the past half a century, are now united against an Islamic country in the region, which is regretful.

He said that's for a long time that Daesh terrorist group, especially those in Iraq and Syria, have disturbed the life and security of people and the Arab states have not been capable of confronting the group, said Rafsanjani, adding that now, however, the group of states are resorting to blind air raids to bring the revolutionary Yemeni nation to its knees which is something futile.

He hoped that officials of Arab states would prevent continuation of regional crises or occurence of new ones at a time when the region is burning in the inferno of Daesh terrorist group and the oil rich regions, especially the Red Sea, is becoming more insecure because these countries have embarked on unpredictable dangerous moves.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Expediency Council Chairman lauded efforts and seriousness of Iranian nuclear negotiating team in Lausanne, Switzerland, and said members of the team are seriously and carefully defending the inalienable rights of the noble Iranian nation.

Terming Iran as a center of stability and spirit of moderation in the region, Rafsanjani said Iran's role in peace and security of the region is fully obvious and clear.

He hoped that this year marks the year of internal and international victories for the dear Iranian nation.

*Irna