Saudi Arabia Calls for ‘Decisive’ International Position Against Iran
Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia, called on the international community on Wednesday, November 12, to take a “decisive stance” against Iran’s efforts to develop its nuclear and missile programs.
According to Reuters, Salman bin Abdulaziz, speaking at the opening of the Consultative Council session, stated: “The kingdom emphasizes the dangers of Iran’s regional project, namely this country’s interference in the affairs of other nations, the spread of terrorism, and the promotion of sectarianism.”
The Saudi King stressed that Riyadh is calling for a decisive position by the international community against Iran to prevent Tehran’s efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction and develop ballistic missile programs.
Salman bin Abdulaziz emphasized that these Iranian efforts pose a threat to peace and security.
This is the second public speech by King Salman in the past one and a half months. The Saudi King had called for reaching a comprehensive solution regarding Iran during his video conference speech to the UN General Assembly on September 23.
Iran has not yet responded to these statements by the Saudi King. However, in response to King Salman’s statements at the UN General Assembly, Iran’s representative called his remarks “biased” and accused the Saudi King of making “baseless accusations” against Iran.
Reuters states that tensions in the region have increased since Donald Trump, the U.S. President, issued an order in 2018 for the United States to withdraw from the nuclear agreement between world powers and Iran, known as the JCPOA, and reimposed severe economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Saudi Arabia, like the Donald Trump administration, seeks a more comprehensive agreement with Iran that would include the nuclear program, missile program, and regional activities of the Islamic Republic.
Iran and Saudi Arabia face each other in a number of regional conflicts and wars, including Yemen and Syria, through their proxy forces.
Reuters notes that the close relations between Muhammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, and Donald Trump had prevented widespread criticism of Riyadh over issues such as the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a dissident journalist, Saudi intervention in the Yemen war, and the suppression of women in the country.
The report adds that with the arrival of Joe Biden, the elected U.S. President, these issues could cause differences between these longtime allies. Joe Biden had promised during his election campaign that he would review relations with Saudi Arabia.
Source: Radio Farda
