Kuwait City, August 19 (RHC)-- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has highlighted bilateral ties between Iran and Kuwait, saying in a meeting with the Persian Gulf country’s crown prince that “foreigners” have no place in the region and have to leave.

Zarif, who received a warm welcome from Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah on Sunday, expressed Iran’s preparedness for expansion of ties and dialogue between the two countries, saying it will serve the interests of the region and its stability and security.

Zarif also hailed “brotherly” bilateral relations between Iran and Kuwait, calling for further expansion of relations.   Pointing to escalating tensions in the Middle East and the need for increasing cooperation among the regional states, Zarif said: “We are the ones who will definitely remain in this region and foreigners will have to leave.”

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Kuwait on Saturday, and later in the day held an official meeting with members of Iran-Kuwait Friendship Association, exchanging views on regional issues.

In a post on his Twitter account over the weekend, Zarif said he is “in Kuwait for high-level talks” after a busy day of “active diplomacy.”