Iran to Saudi Arabia: End Policies That Have Set the Region Ablaze

One day after the Saudi Foreign Minister's comments regarding the nuclear agreement and Iran's actions in the region, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry described these remarks as "baseless accusations" and urged the country to "end the policies that have set the region ablaze." Following a meeting between the Saudi monarch and the U.S. President, Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, emphasized the kingdom's support for the nuclear agreement with Iran, stating, "We now have one less problem in dealing with this country." Al-Jubeir added that Saudi Arabia can now "focus more on Iran's malign activities in the Middle East." According to the official Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson reacted negatively to these comments, accusing Saudi Arabia of aiding "extremist and terrorist groups." Marzieh Afkham, the spokesperson, stated, "Our neighbors should end their policies of aiding extremist and terrorist groups instead of making such statements." She further added that "adopting realistic and constructive positions" is essential for "maintaining peace and security in the region." The Islamic Republic, which openly supports Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria and is accused of providing military support to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, has always been accused by its Arab neighbors of interfering in the affairs of regional countries, especially Arab nations like Bahrain and Yemen. Conversely, Saudi Arabia has been Iran's main regional rival in various issues such as the Syrian, Yemeni, and Iraqi crises in recent years. Saudi Arabia supports opposition and rebel groups in Syria and backs the government of Mansour Hadi, which was ousted by the Houthis from the capital of Yemen, thus placing Iran and Saudi Arabia in indirect confrontation at several points in the Middle East. Gulf Arab states had previously expressed their support for the nuclear agreement with Iran but simultaneously voiced concerns that the Islamic Republic might use the funds obtained after sanctions are lifted to fuel instability in the region.