Rouhani at the Start of Arab Trip: We Seek Good Relations with Gulf Countries

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Wednesday, February 15. Before leaving Tehran, he welcomed efforts to improve relations between Iran and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, stating that Tehran seeks good relations with these countries. According to Iranian domestic news agencies, Rouhani referred to a message from the Emir of Kuwait to the Iranian government, which indicated that the six Gulf countries expressed their desire for 'better relations with Iran and resolving misunderstandings and enhancing relations through dialogue.' The Iranian President noted that Tehran welcomed 'the essence of the message' and added that he would discuss this matter during his visit to Oman and Kuwait. The message from the six Arab Gulf countries was delivered to Iranian officials last month during the visit of Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Sabah, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, to Tehran. This Kuwaiti official had called for dialogue between Iran and its regional neighbors during his visit. Relations between Iran and the Arab Gulf countries, particularly with Saudi Arabia, have been strained due to their support for factions involved in the civil wars in Syria and Yemen. Rouhani stated that 'the basis of the Islamic Republic of Iran's policy has always been good neighborliness with neighbors and the security of the Persian Gulf,' adding that 'Iran has never thought of aggression, interference in the internal affairs of countries, or imposing its religious, ideological, or political beliefs. Our policy is based on mutual cooperation with friends and Islamic countries.' The Iranian President's remarks come at a time when Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, on February 13, described Iran as a 'threat' to the region during a meeting with Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Tehran last winter following attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad, which occurred after the execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have also accused Iran of interfering in their internal affairs, a claim that Tehran denies, while accusing Riyadh of meddling in its own affairs. In this context, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates also recalled their ambassadors from Tehran in a show of solidarity with Riyadh, while Oman only criticized the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. Oman has always maintained good relations with Iran and did not participate in the Saudi-led regional coalition against the Houthi group, which Iran supports. On Wednesday, Rouhani also emphasized the need for Gulf security to be provided by 'the countries of the region and without foreign presence,' while calling for 'greater unity' among these regional countries. He described the 'divide between Sunni and Shia' as 'artificial and fabricated' by 'great powers,' adding that 'Iranophobia, Shia-phobia, and neighbor-phobia are fabricated by foreigners, and the countries of the region have lived together for centuries, and if there are misunderstandings, they can be resolved through dialogue.' According to the Iranian presidential website, Rouhani and Sultan Qaboos are expected to discuss the most important bilateral, regional, and international issues. Before leaving Tehran, Rouhani referred to the 'unrest in the region,' stating that 'this trip will discuss the region and the conditions in Iraq, Syria, and especially Yemen.' Rouhani considered Oman and Kuwait's role in ending the bloodshed in Yemen as 'significant.' A day before Rouhani's trip, Hamid Abutalebi, the political deputy of the presidential office, also stated on his Twitter page that this trip is a sign of 'the necessity of friendship, Islamic brotherhood, and a return to warm regional relations' and 'a warning about the need to end religious disputes, sectarian conflicts, terrorist violence, the killing of innocents, the displacement of the homeless, and the increasing regional tensions.'