Saudi Arabia: Iran Should Use Money from Sanctions Relief to Improve Its Economy

Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, expressed hope that Iran would use the lifting of sanctions against it to improve its economic conditions rather than pursue 'hostile policies' in the region. Reuters reported that Mr. Jubeir made these remarks on Saturday, October 30, at the Manama Security Conference. Prior to the Saudi Foreign Minister, several other senior regional officials had also expressed concern that the Islamic Republic would use the money it receives from the lifting of sanctions to increase insecurity in the Middle East. Among them was Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, who stated that this money would not reach the Iranian people. He explained that the Islamic Republic 'does not use this money to build schools, hospitals, or roads. They use this money to expand their machine of terror and military, which is currently preoccupying the Middle East.' If the comprehensive nuclear agreement is finalized, billions of dollars of Iran's blocked assets in various countries will be returned to Tehran. In another part of his remarks at the Manama Security Conference, the Saudi Foreign Minister stated that he believes the war in Yemen has reached its 'final stage.' Saudi Arabia has been leading a military coalition of Arab countries for months to counter the Shia Houthi militants in Yemen. Riyadh's goal with this coalition is to restore the Yemeni government to power, which, although recognized by the international community as the legitimate government of Yemen, was ousted by the military operations of the Houthis. The Islamic Republic is considered the main supporter of the Shia Houthi rebels. Regarding the Syrian crisis, which is another point of contention between Tehran and Riyadh, the Saudi Foreign Minister stated that the timing of Bashar al-Assad's departure from power and the evacuation of foreign fighters from Syria are the most significant obstacles to reaching a solution. Adel al-Jubeir emphasized that the recent Vienna talks have not changed Riyadh's position on the necessity of removing Mr. Assad from power. The Saudi Foreign Minister stated, 'Ideally, he [Assad] should leave this afternoon. The sooner, the better.' Russia and Iran oppose the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power, claiming that he is resisting terrorism. In this context, Amir-Abdollahian denied Iran's agreement to the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power. Kerry: Major powers agree that Syrian institutions should not be dismantled. The Bahraini Foreign Minister: The threat from Iran is no less than that from ISIS. Changing the battlefield of 'proxy wars'; the war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalization in Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iran crisis.