Iran's Foreign Ministry Calls Adel al-Jubeir's Statements 'Deceptive'

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry described the statements made by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir regarding Iran at the Brookings Institution as 'deceptive and devoid of truth.' Adel al-Jubeir, who traveled to the U.S. with the Saudi Crown Prince, accused Iran of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and violating international laws on April 2nd. He also deemed the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) an incomplete agreement that has failed to prevent Iran's actions in the region. Al-Jubeir stated, 'We are containing Iran, and if the U.S. withdraws from the nuclear deal, we have other options.' He characterized the JCPOA as a 'defective' agreement, particularly weak in terms of inspection methods. The Saudi Foreign Minister claimed that Saudi Arabia has endured Iran's hostile policies since the 1979 revolution. In response, Bahram Qasemi, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, remarked, 'This is not the first time Saudi officials have exceeded their bounds and spoken nonsense when they step into the land of the powerful rulers selling their security.' Qasemi added, 'Today, it is not hidden from anyone, even the American rulers, which country and which ideology - if we do not say the only one - is the main source and promoter of terrorism, insecurity, extremism, and instability in the region and the world.' Saudi officials have repeatedly accused Iran of continuing to 'export revolution,' citing Iran's support for the Houthis in Saudi Arabia, Shiite militias in Iraq and Lebanon, and support for Bashar al-Assad as evidence. Iranian officials, however, have responded by labeling the Wahhabi and Salafi ideologies emerging from Saudi Arabia as the root cause of the formation of extremist and terrorist groups. In response to al-Jubeir's remarks that the Yemen war has been 'imposed' on Saudi Arabia, Qasemi stated, 'Mr. al-Jubeir speaks of a political solution for regional crises, especially in Yemen, while for over three years, he has led all political initiatives to a deadlock and speaks only with the language of bombs, fire, and violence against the oppressed and famine-stricken people of Yemen.' Al-Jubeir emphasized the importance of a political solution in Yemen while accusing the Houthis of refusing to engage in the political process. The Saudi coalition launched 'Operation Decisive Storm' against the Houthis in Yemen on March 26, 2015. However, after three years of relentless bombing, the Houthis still control Sana'a, the capital, and the strategic port of Hodeidah. Saudi Arabia and the U.S. accuse Iran of providing ballistic missiles to the Houthis, who occasionally launch missiles towards Saudi Arabia. Iran has denied these accusations. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have severely deteriorated, especially since King Salman ascended to the throne and Mohammed bin Salman was announced as Crown Prince. Officials from both countries speak very harshly against each other and accuse one another of interfering in their internal affairs. Mohammed bin Salman recently referred to Iran, Turkey, and extremist groups as the 'modern triangle of evil.' Iran and Saudi Arabia are recognized as regional rivals engaged in a power struggle in the Middle East. Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestinian territories are among the contested areas between the two countries. Regarding the JCPOA, the Saudis have opposed the nuclear agreement from the beginning. Tehran and Riyadh also compete within OPEC.