Iran's Strong Criticism Following the Final Statement of Saudi King’s Visit to Malaysia

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry described the allegations made in the final statement of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz's visit to Malaysia regarding Iran's interference in regional countries as 'fantastical' and 'strongly condemned' them. According to the state news agency IRNA, Bahram Qasemi, who has recently had to deny news from Arab countries, stated on Thursday, March 2, that the 'fundamental policy' of the Islamic Republic is 'non-interference in the affairs of other countries' and 'cooperation with all neighbors and regional and global countries to strengthen stability, security, and peace and to combat terrorism relentlessly.' He characterized Malaysia's action as entering 'dangerous areas' aimed at 'strengthening Takfiri terrorist groups, especially ISIS, with the help, support, and material and spiritual guidance, and spending large sums of money... by certain specified countries.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also urged the Malaysian government to refrain from entering such issues, which he claimed have been 'processed' in Israeli circles and are 'aimed at weakening the Islamic world.' Qasemi emphasized that 'Malaysia can play a significant role with insight and careful consideration in the path of unity and cooperation among the Islamic world and better relations among Islamic countries.' Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, in a joint statement at the end of King Salman's four-day visit to Kuala Lumpur, claimed Iran's interference in regional countries. The statement expressed concern over the Islamic Republic's influence in the region, referring to the crises in Syria and Yemen, and called on Iran to refrain from interfering in the affairs of regional countries. Najib Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, has close ties with Saudi Arabia, and last year, the revelation of a large deposit of about $680 million from Saudi Arabia into his account made headlines. Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, stated that this money was a 'gift' and that Saudi Arabia had no specific expectations from Najib Razak in return. During the Saudi king's visit, a $7 billion investment agreement for a refinery and petrochemical complex project in Johor state, Malaysia, was also signed. Iran's relations with the Arab Gulf states have soured following conflicts in Syria and Yemen. Iran supports the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, while Saudi Arabia is one of the main supporters of a group of rebels in that country. In Yemen, the situation is reversed, as a coalition led by Riyadh has conducted airstrikes against Houthi rebels to restore power to Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, while Iranian officials have supported the Houthi rebels and have repeatedly been accused of 'sending weapons' to them. Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran last winter following attacks on its diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad. Iranian officials have recently engaged in discussions with Kuwait and Oman, which took place after the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister's visit to Tehran and the exchange of some messages between the parties. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also considered President Hassan Rouhani's recent trip to Oman and Kuwait as a 'sign of goodwill' and 'indicative of the interest in having favorable and balanced relations.' On the other hand, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Danish ambassador on Thursday and conveyed the Islamic Republic's 'strong protest' regarding the attack on the Iranian embassy in Copenhagen. Bahram Qasemi reported that on Wednesday afternoon, six individuals whom he referred to as 'hostile elements' attacked the Iranian embassy in Copenhagen. He emphasized that the repetition of such actions could harm the relations between the two countries and that Tehran would show a 'proportional response' to these incidents. This is the third time this year that Danish diplomats in Tehran have been summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry due to attacks on the Iranian embassy in Copenhagen. In Bahman, the Danish ambassador and in Farvardin, the chargé d'affaires of that country were summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry due to 'assaults' on the Iranian embassy in Copenhagen.