West’s Iranophobia plots should be foiled via cultural diplomacy: Minister
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi Amiri, said late on Saturday that western plots to portray a scary image of the Islamic Republic and disseminate Iranophobia should be thwarted using a strategic approach based on cultural diplomacy.
“This project must be effectively neutralized through a strategic approach based on cultural diplomacy,” Salehi Amiri said. “In order to counter this phenomenon, we are expanding diplomatic relations with various countries around the world, prioritizing the facilitation and acceleration of tourism in addition to enhancing cultural relations.”
Pointing to the supreme position of Iranian civilization in the global arena, the minister said, “Iran is not just a geography, but a civilization whose roots have penetrated the heart of human history and influenced all aspects of world culture.”
Salehi Amiri touched on more than 43,000 nationally registered works and 28 globally registered works in Iran, saying, “This land is a treasure trove of history and civilization, where every day, in some corner of it, a new discovery from the ancient world and an ancient culture is unveiled.”
Salehi Amiri reported on the continuous efforts of his ministry to register Iran’s historical sites globally, stating that the sites such as the historical valleys of Lorestan, including historical caves and Falak-ol-Aflak Castle, Iranian mosques, and Sistan and Baluchestan windmills, are on the path to global registration.
“Iran will soon become one of the global pioneers in the registration of historical sites and will play a more influential role than before on the global stage,” he said, adding, “Iran’s cultural heritage is not only an integral part of the country’s soft power, but also plays a strategic role in promoting cultural diplomacy and tourism at the global level.”
Pointing to his diplomatic trips to various countries such as Egypt, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, Salehi Amiri said, “In these trips, emphasis has been placed on strengthening cultural relations and boosting the tourism industry, especially through the signing of comprehensive memorandums of understanding.”
The Iranian minister also referred to Tehran’s tourism capacities and said, “Despite having 140 hotels, Tehran still needs completion and development of hotel construction and tourism infrastructure on a global scale.
Salehi-Amiri said with the cooperation of the government and Tehran Municipality, 10 new locations have been identified for the construction of five-star hotels, adding, “These projects will be a big step towards elevating Tehran as a reputable global tourism destination.”