Report claiming S'pore wanted 'all-out relations' with Iran factually incorrect: MFA

Report claiming S'pore wanted 'all-out relations' with Iran factually incorrect: MFA

SINGAPORE - A Fars News Agency (FNA) report that said Singapore wanted "all-out relations" with Iran is factually incorrect, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement today.

The Iran-based news agency had reported on Sunday that Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli "voiced regret over the limitations" imposed by international sanctions during a Nov 26 meeting with the Chairman of the Iran-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Group.

The report titled "Singaporean Minister Blasts Anti-Iran Sanctions for Troubling Ties" also quoted Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam as saying that the current conditions faced by Iran were "highly bitter and undesirable".

"The FNA report and quotes are factually incorrect and misrepresent the comments by Mr Shanmugam and Mr Masagos," the MFA said. "During the discussions, Mr Masagos had urged Iran to seize the opportunity to resolve all outstanding issues with the P5+1 concerning Iran's nuclear programme."

"While reaffirming the friendly relations between the two countries, Mr Shanmugam also noted that it was difficult for both sides to step up economic cooperation given the current constraints. Both Mr Shanmugam and Mr Masagos reiterated that an agreement with the P5+1 would be in the interests of Iran and the international community," the MFA added.

huizhen@sph.com.sg

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