TEHRAN, Mar 26 (NNN-IRNA) – The ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia are facing problems and challenges, but Iran is working hard to keep the dialogue open between the two Middle Eastern powers, Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian said, yesterday.
The diplomat, who is currently visiting Lebanon, said that, the contradictory behaviours of Saudi Arabia, like the execution of 81 people, among whom are Shiite dissidents, affect bilateral relations, and that, Iran wouldn’t forget the death of 460 Iranian nationals in the Mina tragedy, a deadly stampede in Saudi Arabia on Sept 24, 2015.
It was Saudi Arabia that has cut diplomatic ties with Iran, Abdollahian pointed out, adding that, “we have concerns about Saudi policy, but we have not cut ties with it.”
Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016, in protest against the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, following the Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric.
About the conflicts between the Yemeni Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Abdollahian said, Yemenis’ defending of their sovereignty is an issue of their own business, but Iran welcomes cessation of war and lifting of the (Saudi-led) siege of this country.”
He dismissed the claim that what happens in Yemen is related to Iran, adding that, it is up to the Yemenis to decide the issues of their country.– NNN-IRNA
