Iran is ready to hold consultations with other Middle Eastern countries on creating a regional security structure without the participation of extra-regional forces, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, RIA Novosti reports.

“We [i.e. Iran] welcome any initiative that will help form a collective security structure without the participation and interference of foreign forces, and we consider it a move in the right direction.

We are ready to hold consultations with the countries of the region on a comprehensive security framework that will be developed by the countries of the region, for the region itself,” Araghchi said following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.