Rouhani blames rise in extremism on West's 'blunders'
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has blamed the rise of violent extremism in the Middle East on the West's "strategic blunders".
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Rouhani said the solution for the crisis had to come from within the region.
He also accused "certain intelligence agencies" of funding groups such as Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq.
World leaders are meeting at the UN in New York to discuss the threat of IS.
Rouhani also spoke of the ongoing negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme, saying that he was "hopeful" of reaching a final agreement in the time remaining.
Iran was committed to continuing its nuclear enrichment work under international law, he added.
Iran and countries representing the P5+1 group are involved in the negotiations.
The P5+1 includes Germany and the permanent members of the UN Security Council: the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia.
Iran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
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