Azernews.Az

TEHRAN – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed his special envoy for Caspian Sea affairs, local Mehr News Agency reported.

Ahmadinejad said in a letter to Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzadeh that "the Iranian government's strategy for bolstering ties with Caspian Sea littoral states is based on mutual respect and interests."

In separate decrees issued on Sunday, President Ahmadinejad also appointed Esfandiyar Rahim-Mashaei as the presidential envoy for the Middle East and Hamid Baqaei will be in charge of Asian affairs. Abolfazl Zohrehvand is Iran's representative for Afghanistan affairs.

In a letter addressed to Mashaei, the president said that hegemonic powers seek domination over the sensitive Middle East region via propaganda and military tactics.

"Extensive support for the Zionist regime is in line with this policy. Intelligent moves should be adopted to maintain regional unity and thwart the ill intentions of hostile powers," the letter reads.

In a letter to Hamid Baqaei, Ahmadinejad noted, "Today, it is more necessary than ever to expand cooperation between Iran and Asian countries to curb the threats stemming from any dependency on Western countries."

Ahmadinejad, in his letter to Zohrehvand, said that taking essential measures to facilitate closer relations with Afghanistan consistent with Iran's national interests is of crucial importance.

"Foreign powers are involved in extensive political-military provocations under the pretext of defending the country's (Afghanistan’s) security," Ahmadinejad charged.