国际英语新闻:Iran denies requiring U.S., Saudi Arabia to negotiate

TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday denied that it had requested the United States and Saudi Arabia to negotiate over disputed issues.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi dismissed in a statement the recent western media's reports that Iran has made request for talks with the United States.

"In the case of Saudi Arabia, there is no negotiation underway between the two countries except for the pilgrimage ceremonies of Hajj that the two sides have agreed to separate from their bilateral political issues," Mousavi said.

"From Iran's point of view, Saudi Arabia is an important country in the region, which has been moved in a wrong direction over the past years with an unconstructive approach, and this has caused many disasters and crises in the region," he added.

Mousavi expressed the hope that the Saudi officials would return to an honest and benevolent approach towards the people of the region.

"Definitely in that case, Iran will be ready to interact with the country (Saudi Arabia) within the framework of regional and mutual cooperation," he added.