PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

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Iran’s President Rouhani has called on European countries to help Syria’s refugees — without mentioning if Tehran’s support for the Assad regime contributed to their flight.

Receiving the newly-appointing Ambassador from Hungary — highlighted last week for refusing further movement to refugees — Rouhani said, “I am glad that some European countries have taken a positive stance on helping refugees out of their harrowing situation. I hope all countries in Europe and other parts of the world soon join this trend and compensate for the shortcomings.”

The President did not comment on how many refugees Iran has taken or how Iranian political and military backing, essential to President Assad’s survival, may have contributed to Syrian army and air force operations that have led to the displacement of civilians.

Instead, Rouhani implicitly blamed the Syrian opposition and rebels, “Terrorism has sparked intimidation and fear in the regional countries and [resulted in] the displacement of innocent people.”

The President expressed his hope that through “determination and collective cooperation”, the entire world would see lasting stability and security.

More than 4 million Syrians have left the country, and more than 11 million — half the country’s pre-war population — are estimated to have been displaced.

Iran Courts Spanish Investment, Help With Energy Sector

In its latest talks with European countries about economic cooperation after the July 14 nuclear deal, Iran has hosted Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo and a business and trade delegation.

On the diplomatic front, pro-Government media highlighted Garcia-Margallo’s support for the nuclear agreement with the 5+1 powers as an opening for wider international cooperation.

However, the more significant declaration was by Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, who said Tehran has received a proposal from Spain to use Spanish terminals for exports of Iran’s natural gas to Europe.

Zanganeh also said he and Industry Minister José Manuel Soria López discussed “a wide range of issues for mutual cooperation in the oil industry”. He

Iran’s projects for liquified natural gas have been crippled by US-led sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program.

State news agency IRNA adds the comment that Soria López “voiced the interest of Spanish companies to cooperate with Iran in various areas”.

The visit by the Spanish Foreign Minister follows that of his French, Italian, and Britain counterparts and Germany’s Deputy Chancellor.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer is due in Tehran on Monday.