Amirabdollahian: We Have Received Contradictory Statements from Saudi Arabia; We Will Not Cross the Islamic Republic’s Red Lines Over JCPOA
Hussein Amirabdollahian, Iran’s Foreign Minister, said on Thursday that Tehran has received contradictory statements from Saudi Arabia regarding the restoration of bilateral relations.
Speaking at a press conference in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the normalization of bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, “but we have received conflicting messages from senior Saudi officials. We expect Saudi Arabia to act in the interest of the region.” He did not provide further explanation.
Amirabdollahian, speaking alongside Abdullah Bou Habib, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, commented on his visit, saying, “We are in Beirut to say that we want nothing but the good of the Lebanese people.”
He said he discussed Iran-Saudi Arabia negotiations with his Lebanese counterpart. Tehran and Riyadh differ over Iran’s support for Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Many hold the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for Lebanon’s economic and security problems because of its support for the quasi-military group Hezbollah.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are engaged in proxy wars throughout the Middle East. Last year, the two countries launched direct negotiations to contain tensions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister also referred to negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers in part of his remarks, saying the agreement could happen in the short term if, according to him, “the American side, instead of playing for time, playing with words and wasting time, should choose a realistic behavior and correct approach.”
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Hossein Amirabdollahian added, “We are prepared to reach a good, strong and lasting agreement; but not at the cost of crossing the red line of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
He said that if a final agreement is reached, all countries in the region will benefit from it.
Source: Voice of America
