Kuwait's Foreign Minister to Carry Message of 'Dialogue Between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council' to Tehran

The Foreign Minister of Kuwait is set to carry a message regarding 'dialogue between Iran and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council' to Tehran. An Iranian official has stated that the purpose of Sheikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah's visit is to deliver a message from the Emir of Kuwait to Hassan Rouhani. According to the official Kuwait News Agency, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah said on Tuesday, January 25, that this one-day visit will take place on Wednesday. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, had stated on January 17 that about 10 countries, including Kuwait, have expressed readiness to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Sabah Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah mentioned that the message pertains to relations and dialogues between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Islamic Republic of Iran based on international law and the United Nations Charter. He added that we are partners in the region, share common interests and benefits, and have many capacities for strengthening ties. Sheikh Sabah Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah emphasized that Tehran and Kuwait are interested in these negotiations. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, had also called for 'constructive dialogue' with Iran during a meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council members last November in Manama. Meanwhile, Bahram Qasemi stated on Tuesday, 'The Kuwaiti minister is carrying a message from the Emir of Kuwait for the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.' He added regarding the objectives of Sheikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah's visit to Iran that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kuwait, as neighboring countries with many commonalities, have long been in contact and interaction and consultation with each other. Bahram Qasemi said that this one-day visit, which has been planned for some time, is being conducted within the framework of bilateral relations between Iran and Kuwait. The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry added that in this visit, in addition to bilateral issues and relations, discussions and exchanges of views on the latest regional developments and international topics will also take place. Since the onset of protests and conflicts in Syria in 2011, Iran has supported Bashar al-Assad's government while Saudi Arabia has backed the opponents of the Syrian regime. Additionally, in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, leading an Arab coalition, has conducted military operations in support of the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, while Iran supports the Shiite Houthi militants. Following the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad were attacked. In response to this act, Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran. Following these disputes, Iran also halted pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia. Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council accuse Iran of interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries and demand a change in Tehran's approach.