Iran’s president says Saudi Arabia behind ‘hostility’ in region
IRAN - Iran’s president has waded into the growing dispute between his country and Saudi Arabia by accusing Riyadh of sowing hostility in Yemen, strengthening Islamic State, and orchestrating the “unprecedented” resignation of the Lebanese prime minister.
Hassan Rouhani’s response came a day after the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, accused Iran of “direct military aggression” by supplying missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen. Tehran ferociously denied the charge. Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of ‘direct aggression’ over Yemen missile
Simmering tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, two regional rivals at opposing ends of the Yemen conflict, have ratcheted up after the launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen towards Riyadh on Saturday. The missile was intercepted and debris fell at Riyadh’s international airport. “Why are you showing hostility towards the people of Syria and Iraq? Why are you strengthening Isis and leaving the peoples of the region with them? Why are you interfering with Lebanon’s internal affairs and governance?” Rouhani said, referring to the resignation on Saturday of Saad Hariri, Lebanon’s prime minister, who unexpectedly stepped down as prime minister while he was visiting Saudi Arabia.
Hariri’s resignation was announced in a televised address from Riyadh, during which he said Iran was controlling the region. He blamed Lebanon’s powerful Shia militant group and political movement Hezbollah of exerting full control in the country. (Theguardian.com)