"The main priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy is its neighbors, an issue that is of political, security, and strategic importance to us, and at the same time, is also very important economically," Araghchi told reporters in the city of Mashhad on Wednesday.
He said that one of the main goals of provincial diplomacy is to utilize the capacities of provinces in foreign relations, especially in the field of economic relations with neighboring countries of each province.
Araghchi added that also, in conditions of sanctions, economic relations with neighbors can provide suitable spaces to counter the effects of sanctions. "In fact, one of the effective strategies in neutralizing sanctions is to use regional and border capacities."
"We believe that there is a lot of economic potential in the country that can flourish and be utilized through direct communication between provinces and neighboring countries," the Foreign Minister added.
IRNA