A senior Italian senator, Lamberto Dini, has described Iran as a major regional power, saying that the Islamic Republic cannot be disregarded in the international arena.
In a meeting with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Ahani on Wednesday, Dini highlighted Iran's position and influence in the region as a major power in terms of politics and geopolitics, Fars news agency reported.
The chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Italian Senate expressed hope that Tehran would be able to play a more active role in the resolution of regional crises with the help of other countries.
He emphasized the significance of Iran's role in the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan, saying his country is willing to cooperate in reconstructing Afghanistan and stabilizing peace in the violence-weary country.
Ahani, for his turn, called for an expansion of ties between Iran and Italy and urged further cooperation between Tehran and Rome on all political, international, economic, cultural and parliamentarian grounds.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry's deputy for European and the American affairs stressed Tehran's stance regarding regional and international developments.
Ahani also reiterated Iran's opposition to the West's "inefficient" policies with regard to the current situation in the region, including the issue of Afghanistan, and reiterated the need for foreign militaries to leave the country.
The Iranian official also condemned the United States and some European powers for imposing sanctions against Iran, beyond the measures by UN Security Council's resolutions, to smother the Iranian nation's will and deprive it of its right to peaceful nuclear energy.