By Mustafa Melih Ahishali</p> <p>TEHRAN (AA) – Iranian Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ali Motahari on Wednesday said his country's policy of promoting "Shia doctrine" in the region had adversely affected its foreign policy.</p> <p>“Iran’s current political approach is problematic, both internally and externally,” Motahari was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).</p> <p>“Attempts to expand our influence in the [Middle East] region by promoting Shia doctrine isn’t the right approach,” he said.</p> <p>“Tehran's continued adherence to this policy has driven [Sunni-Arab] countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) closer to Israel,” Motahari added.</p> <p>He also called for a “reconsideration” of Iran’s current foreign policy trajectory and improved relations with states of the region.</p> <p>Some Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, accuse Tehran of pursuing an “expansionist” regional policy and interfering in other countries’ internal affairs.
