Iranian FM in Riyadh to discuss bilateral ties with Saudi counterpart

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Aug 2023 19:08

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia announce raising the level of cooperation between the two countries in various fields ranging from security to trade.

In this handout image released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian signs a register at the Saudi Foreign Ministry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. (AP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, heading a high-ranking delegation, and held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. The foreign ministers discussed various issues pertaining to their bilateral relations, as well as regional, international, and Islamic world issues.

During a press briefing, the Iranian FM confirmed that the meeting comes in the context of previously held meetings and urged "the idea of conducting a regional dialogue at the level of the Gulf region."

Amir-Abdollahian also commended the progress achieved in normalizing relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the two countries' intention to expand bilateral cooperation.

"We are moving in the right direction, and relations with Saudi Arabia are witnessing progress, and both parties are determined to expand and strengthen cooperation in all fields, focus on the practical aspect of the agreements between the two countries, and implement them across the fields of security, economy, and trade."

Amir-Abdollahian further revealed that Tehran and Riyadh also agreed to name joint committees to be headed by foreign ministers and expressed hope that "the idea of achieving security and development in the region cannot be divided," reaffirming that Iran "extends a hand of cooperation to neighboring countries."

Most significant was Amri-Abdollahian's reaffirmation that "Iran continues its strong support for the Palestinian cause." The Iranian FM explained, "We have no doubt that the Zionist entity will sow seeds of discord and hostility in our region, and we are alert to the movements of this entity."

The top diplomat, regarding the Iranian President's invitation to visit Saudi Arabia, noted that "President Raisi received an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia from King Salman, and he will visit it at the appropriate time."

On his part, Saudi FM bin Farhan confirmed that "the kingdom is looking forward to the visit of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi," adding that "I assured my Iranian counterpart of the Kingdom's keenness to activate previous agreements between the two countries, especially those related to security and economy."

Furthermore, the Saudi FM also stressed the importance of "raising the level of cooperation and coordination between the two countries."

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

In June, after Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, heading a high-ranking delegation to discuss bilateral ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Hezbollah Executive Council chief Sayyed Hashem Safieddine said that the Chinese-brokered agreement on the restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran "had many positive repercussions for the people of the region."

In an exclusive interview for the Iranian news agency Tasnim, Sayyed Safieddine indicated that the agreement was against the interests of the United States and the Israeli occupation and "is in the interests of the Ummah (nation) and the Islamic and Arab world and is proof of our health and strength."

The senior Hezbollah official emphasized that this stability is a weakness for the normalization project with the Israeli occupation, underlining that "Iran was powerful before the Beijing agreement, and it is still strong and powerful after it."