Zarif: I Was Asked to Cut Relations with Saudi Arabia, but I Refused

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated on Wednesday, January 30, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that Iran does not seek confrontation with Saudi Arabia and that there is 'no need' for Saudi Arabia to panic due to the recent tensions with Iran. Zarif emphasized that Saudi Arabia 'should know that confrontation is not in anyone's interest.' In his remarks in Davos, he added that previously, following reports of the assault on two Iranian teenagers in Saudi Arabia, he was 'asked' to sever Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia, but he rejected this request. Zarif referred to the news of the 'sexual harassment' of two Iranian teenagers by Saudi police officers at Jeddah airport, which was reported in April. However, he did not clarify who specifically requested him to cut ties with Saudi Arabia at that time. Zarif then directly addressed Saudi officials regarding the tensions between the two countries, saying, 'Friends, there is no reason to panic.' He added, 'Iran is ready to cooperate with you; Iran does not want to isolate anyone in this region.' Following the execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia and the subsequent protest attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad, Saudi Arabia and several other countries, including Bahrain, severed diplomatic relations with Iran. Tehran, however, insists that a group of 'rogue' individuals carried out these attacks and that they will face legal consequences. One day before Zarif's statements in Davos, it was reported that his deputy, Abbas Araqchi, was heading to Jeddah to attend an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, called by the Saudi government to address the issue of the attacks on the Saudi embassy and consulate in Tehran and Mashhad. Zarif also mentioned that the Syrian crisis has 'no military solution' and stressed the need for a political resolution. Seventeen countries participating in the Syrian peace talks, including the US, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, have so far failed to agree on a list of representatives for the Syrian opposition to participate in negotiations. The date for negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition in Geneva has been set for January 25, with the aim of ending the civil war in Syria, which has claimed over 260,000 lives since it began about five years ago. Zarif expressed surprise at the new US sanctions against Iran due to a missile test, calling it 'strange.' He stated, 'I find it strange that the United States expresses concern about Iran's missile program, as this program is defensive and does not violate any current international regulations.' The US Treasury Department added 11 individuals and entities to its sanctions list related to Tehran's missile program just hours after the implementation of the JCPOA and the lifting of international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program. The new US sanctions were a reaction to the 'Emad missile' test conducted by the Revolutionary Guards in October, which drew condemnation from Washington. In an interview with the Associated Press in Davos, Zarif accused the US of being 'addicted to applying pressure and sanctions' and stated that these new sanctions 'show that overcoming this addiction is very difficult for the United States.' He also mentioned that despite reaching a nuclear agreement, the prospect of resuming diplomatic relations between Iran and the US remains 'very distant.'