Enemies spearheaded by 'Israel' oppose advanced Iran-Saudi ties: Raisi

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Jun 2023 23:41
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The Iranian President believes that with dialogue among the countries of the region, difficulties can be overcome.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi receives Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan and an accompanying delegation in Tehran (IRNA)

The Iranian President has informed the visiting Saudi Foreign Minister that the enemies of Muslims, spearheaded by the Israeli regime, are the only ones that stand against the development of cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

"Only the enemies of Muslims and the Zionist regime at the top of their list are against the development of bilateral and regional cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia," he said.

On Saturday night in Tehran, President Ebrahim Raisi welcomed Faisal Bin Farhan, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, for a meeting.

The President emphasized that his administration views building relationships with all nations, particularly neighbors, as a top priority in its foreign policy, confirming that Iran and Saudi Arabia are driven to dialogue and engagement by their shared interests, good neighborliness, and shared Islamic beliefs.

Read: Iran-Saudi ties weaken normalization with 'Israel': Hezbollah

Raisi further stated that there are numerous issues and problems in the region that have turned into a source of suffering for the Islamic Ummah (Nation), stressing that if the countries of the region cooperate, "these problems and difficulties can be overcome, and there is no need for foreign powers interference in that regard."

"The results and experiences of this successful fight are among the issues that can be the focus of cooperation between the two countries," the President said, citing the Islamic Republic of Iran's experience in the fight against terrorism and the eradication of Takfiri groups.

"The Zionist regime is not only an enemy to the Palestinians, but also it is a threat to all Muslims," he said, adding that normalizing the relations of some countries with this regime "neither creates security nor matches with Islamic Ummah's beliefs."

Regarding the revival of relations between the two Islamic nations and his visit to Tehran, Faisal bin Farhan said, "We are in a golden stage that we should seize as an opportunity."

The senior Saudi diplomat sees opportunities for both his nation and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the growing ties.

Bin Farhan mentioned his country's efforts to elevate relations to a strategic level and said, "Economic development and cultural cooperation are on the agenda of both Tehran and Riyadh," referring to the King of Saudi Arabia's order to form several working groups to develop relations with Iran.

He said some nations do not want to see the region advance and experience peace, adding that "with the extension of the current interaction between Iran and Saudi Arabia to all Islamic countries, endless achievements will emerge that will guarantee that no foreign country intervenes in our region."

Before meeting with President Raisi today, the Saudi Foreign Minister had a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, followed by a press conference.