Iran believes in ‘united, democratic’ Spain

 In a statement issued Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi reacted to Catalonia’s bid for independence from Spain and the Spanish government's susbsequent crackdown on voters, saying "the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the need to respect the rule of law, to avoid violence and to pursue the nation’s demands through peaceful and legal procedures.”

He went on to add, "Spain is one of the most important political and economic partners of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Europe; as such, we are closely following the developments in this country and the state of Catalonia.”

Calling for preserving peace, stability, national unity and respecting Spain’s Constitution, Bahram Ghasemi stressed, "Iran is of the opinion that the interests of all Spanish people can better be met through the country’s political stability and economic growth, as well as national unity and synergy.”