Iranophobia hackneyed weapon: FM spokesman

'Iran's influence in the region is a clear issue, and culture and civilization cannot be captivated within geographical borders,' Iran's Foreign Minsitry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said, referring to recent anti-Iran remarks by the Saudi Foreign Minister.

'Using phrases that indicate concerns on Iran's influence is a wrong policy that some try to resort to it to separate Iran from the rest of the region, so that the foreign powers find opportunity to plunder the reserves of the countries in the region,' he added.

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