On Thursday, Iran welcomed the “change in Saudi Arabia’s tone” following Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) calls for friendlier bilateral ties. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh reacted to the Crown Prince’s remarks by saying that Iran and Saudi Arabia, “as two important countries in the region and the Muslim world, can enter a new chapter of interaction and cooperation to achieve regional peace, stability, and development by adopting constructive and dialogue-based approaches.”
Khatibzadeh added that Iran has been “a pioneer in the path of amity and regional cooperation” and has strived for maintaining cooperation in the Persian Gulf region, especially through the Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE), which seeks to set up a security system in the region with the presence of all Persian Gulf countries. Khatibzadeh also expressed hope that the change in the Kingdom’s attitude, especially during the month of Ramadan, “would be a blessed beginning for convergence among the Islamic society and end of war, displacement, and insecurity in this region.”
MBS, in an interview given to state media on Tuesday, said that Saudi Arabia was seeking better ties with its regional rival. “Iran is a neighbouring country, and all we aspire for is a good and special relationship with Iran,” MBS said, adding, “We do not want Iran’s situation to be difficult. On the contrary, we want Iran to grow...and to push the region and the world towards prosperity.”
Last week, various news outlets reported that secret direct talks had been held between Iran and Saudi Arabia in a bid to calm tensions between both sides. Both countries have had major issues with each other for a long time and tensions spiralled out of control when the Saudi embassy in Tehran was attacked by Iranian mobs in 2016 over Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Shia cleric. Following the attacks, the Kingdom officially broke diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic.
Since then both sides have clashed numerous times, especially in war-torn Yemen. Saudi Arabia has led an international coalition in the country that has been launching airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Houthis have also targeted Saudi energy infrastructure, including several Saudi Aramco facilities.
Riyadh has also consistently expressed concerns about Tehran’s nuclear programme. Saudi Arabia has said that a nuclear deal with Iran will strengthen its capacities to pursue an aggressive policy in the region, which includes supporting proxies in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. MBS reiterated these worries in the interview on Tuesday but said that his country was actively working to “find solutions” to these challenges.
Iran Welcomes Saudi Crown Prince’s Comments, Calls For New Chapter in Ties
Iran welcomed the “change in Saudi Arabia’s tone” after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's (MBS) comments calling for friendlier bilateral ties.
April 30, 2021
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh SOURCE: FATEMEH BAHRAMI/ANADOLU AGENCY