Saudi Foreign Minister: We welcome Trump's policies towards Iran and ISIS
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Monday that Riyadh welcomes the approach of the Donald Trump administration to revive America in the world, especially to contain Iran and defeat the Islamic State group, ISIS.
"We are optimistic about the next (US) administration and we look forward to working together on all areas of common concern," Adel al-Jubeir told reporters in Paris, according to Reuters.
The Saudi foreign minister added: "In our opinion, the policies of the Trump administration are coherent and clear. It wants to restore America's role in the world, we welcome this approach. It wants to defeat ISIS (Islamic State group), absolutely. It wants to contain Iran, ... absolutely (we welcome)."
US President-elect Donald Trump will be officially sworn in on Friday.
According to the report, Adel al-Jubeir said that Saudi Arabia and the United States have common geopolitical interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran. He added that the two countries also have common interests in the financial and energy sectors.
The Saudi Foreign Minister has clarified: "The goals we want to achieve are common goals. We may have possible differences with each other on how to achieve these goals, but we do not disagree with each other on what should or should not be done."
Responding to a question about relations between Riyadh and Tehran, Adel al-Jubeir accused Iran of destabilizing the region.
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia became strained following the start of protests in Arab countries, or the "Arab Spring." When protests and clashes began in Syria in 2011, Iran supported the government of Bashar al-Assad, while Saudi Arabia supported the Syrian government's opponents.
Following the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad were attacked. In response, Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran. In the wake of these disputes, Iran suspended pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Foreign Minister continued: "Our relations with Iran are strained, and this is the result of Iran's hostile and aggressive policies."
Adel al-Jubeir added: "We cannot be condemned to death and destruction and then expect us to turn our backs (and ignore). We tried (to improve relations) but it was not fruitful."
He also said regarding the Syrian peace talks in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, that these talks are worth trying, but that moderate movements opposing the Syrian government should not be excluded from these talks.
Adel al-Jubeir said: "The goal of these talks is to establish a ceasefire and start a political negotiation process. Let's try it. Of course, so far it has not been successful."
The Astana talks are scheduled to take place shortly after the formation of the new US administration led by Donald Trump.
Source: Radio Farda
