Gulf Arab leaders call on Iran to take "practical steps" to reduce tensions
The leaders of the Arab Gulf states, during a meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, called on Iran to take practical steps to reduce tensions instead of making promises.
According to Reuters, they also stressed the call to participate in negotiations between world powers and Tehran aimed at saving the JCPOA nuclear agreement.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said at the annual meeting of Gulf Arab leaders, before issuing the final statement of the meeting, that Iran's nuclear and missile programs must be addressed "seriously and effectively."
Indirect talks between Iran and the United States to revive the nuclear deal, which began in April, were suspended in June after hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi took office. Now his envoys have made demands that Western countries say are not only unrealistic but also violate the understandings reached in the previous six rounds of talks.
"So far, reports indicate that Iran is stalling the process, and we hope that this will translate into progress in the near future," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said at a press conference after the Gulf Arab summit.
He said the southern Gulf states would prefer to be part of the talks to revive the JCPOA, but at the same time they would welcome "any mechanism" that addresses their concerns, including regarding Iranian proxies.
Reuters writes that both Riyadh and the United Arab Emirates have reached out to Iran to try to contain tensions.
Prince Faisal said that talks with Iran had not produced any "real change on the ground" but that the country still welcomed negotiations and was willing to do so.
Iran has angered Saudi Arabia on various issues, particularly its support for the Houthi militia in Yemen and the Lebanese Hezbollah group.
The Iranian president has said that his foreign policy priority is improving relations with Iran's neighbors in the southern Persian Gulf.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have moved away from aggressive foreign policies and toward a more conciliatory approach, Reuters reported, as they seek to attract foreign investment and the favor of U.S. President Joe Biden.
The UAE has moved faster to improve relations with Iran and Turkey, while also re-establishing contact with Syria after establishing ties with Israel last year.
Source: Voice of America
