Iranian foreign minister Zarif hopes for better relations with Saudi Arabia
IRANIAN Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad arif said on Wednesday that his country was ready to build close relations with its regional rival Saudi Arabia.
arif was speaking after meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.
The Syrian state news agency Sana quoted arif as saying that Iran had made contacts with Saudi Arabia.
He hoped those contacts will lead to greater cooperation between both countries to achieve peace and stability in the region, especially in war-devastated Yemen. Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran view each other as arch-enemies and have been competing for decades for economic and political primacy in the region.
The two countries severed diplomatic relations in 2016 and are currently facing off in multiple proxy con icts, including in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has been leading a military alliance supporting the Yemeni government in its ght against the Iran-linked Houthi rebels.
On Monday, Iran conrmed reports that direct talks had taken place with Saudi Arabia.
Earlier Wednesday, arif criticised Israel and said it has worsened the situation in the region.
He made his remarks upon landing in Syria for talks on the latest developments in the region, state media reported. Israel is in the midst of a stand-off with Palestinian militants that has left dozens dead in the last two days.
arif condemned what he said were unprecedented and “criminal acts by the ionist entity in the Gaza Strip and occupied territories.” arif, who was received by his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mikdad, said Syria “as one of the leading countries in the axis of resistance has a very important role in this eld,” SANA reported.