Iran announces upcoming round of talks with Saudi Arabia

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Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh confirmed today, Monday, during his weekly press conference, that negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will be completed in Iraq, pointing out that the next round is on the agenda.

He added that talks and stable relations will continue "despite the contentious issues between the two countries," which is in the best interest of both parties in the region.

In response to a question about the tough Saudi position toward Lebanon, Khatibzadeh said that in Lebanon, the issue of foreign intervention is a factor of instability in the country, as some external parties seek through their pressure to change the equations in Lebanon.

He added that Hezbollah is part of the national forces that are represented in the Lebanese government, and "everyone should respect that."

We seek a permanent agreement in Vienna

Regarding the Vienna Talks, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said, "What is happening in Vienna today is an attempt by all parties to reach a permanent result. We witnessed progress in all four areas, lifting sanctions, guarantees, serious initiatives, and the issue of uranium enrichment."

He stated that "there has been significant progress in some of them, while there has been less progress in others. We have reached points that will show us whether the other party has the necessary will or not. The speed of the talks is also important to Iran." However, he pointed out that matters also depend on the other side, emphasizing that both sides should move at the same pace. 

Khatibzadeh mentioned that no issues outside the nuclear agreement were raised and that four issues were mainly discussed. The talks discussed lifting sanctions, verification, obtaining guarantees, and nuclear issues. 

Regarding reaching an interim agreement in Vienna, the Iranian Spokesperson noted that Iran seeks a "permanent and credible agreement." He emphasized that America's return must be accompanied by verification and guarantees, and not be based on a "temporary agreement."

He continued by stating that America is used to imposing sanctions and exerting pressure from one side and is not used to speaking in international relations on the basis of the principle of equality, and it must get used to this matter, adding that the US can't act like an "international commander" expecting all states to abide by its rules. 

We will spare no effort until the perpetrators of the assassination of Soleimani are brought to justice

Khatibzadeh referred to the assassination of the martyr Qassem Soleimani, saying that "what happened at the dawn of January 3, 2020, is a war crime and a clear crime carried out against a high-ranking Iranian figure," stressing that Iran will pursue those who ordered and executed and all those involved in this clear crime. "We will spare no effort until they are brought to justice," he said, stressing that efforts will continue and "we will not forgive or forget." 

Regarding the Afghan delegation meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, he expressed that the talks were fruitful and constructive and that there will be a bilateral treaty on the utilization of the waters of the Hermand River, adjacent to the two countries, and on other matters.

He added that Amir-Abdollahian's visit to the Sultanate of Oman will be for one day, and it will likely extend to another Gulf country, with other visits on the agenda.

In addition, Amir-Abdollahian will visit China by the end of the week to discuss the 25-year cooperation agreement between the two countries.

Last March, China, and Iran signed the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" agreement to strengthen their economic and political relations.

He referred to an expected visit by President Ebrahim Raisi to Russia, expressing that it comes within the framework of bilateral Iranian-Russian cooperation and will tackle several issues at the bilateral, regional, and international levels.