TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani slammed the Takfiri (extremist) groups carrying out terrorist acts under the name of Islam, saying they have nothing to do with the religion, because Islam is a religion of “affection and peace”.

Speaking in a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Ivory Coast, Abdallah Toikeusse Mabri, in Tehran on Monday, Rouhani stressed the necessity for cooperation among all countries to uproot terrorism, saying that the phenomenon is a major threat to the world.

“Terrorists have nothing to do with Islam, because Islam is the religion of affection, peace and peaceful coexistence and explicitly opposes any intimidation, insecurity, and massacre of people,” the president noted.

“Iran, with its 17000 martyrs, has paid a heavy cost in the fight against terrorism, and will spare no effort to help countries that call for its assistance in combatting terrorism,” Rouhani went on to say.

Regarding Tehran-Yamoussoukro relations, Rouhani said Iran and Ivory Coast have numerous capacities to boost cooperation in various spheres.

The foreign minister of Ivory Coast, for his part, stressed that the joint economic commission of the two countries should be formed in the near future and said Iran’s international status is beneficial to all developing countries.

Expansion of relations with African nations in all political, economic and cultural fields is top on the agenda of Iran's foreign policy.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who took office in August 2013, has repeatedly stressed his government's interest in boosting relations with the African states.

By Tasnim News Agency