Zarif: Iran and Saudi Arabia Cannot Ignore Each Other

Iran's Foreign Minister states that Iran and Saudi Arabia must cooperate to resolve their issues and cannot ignore each other. Mr. Zarif also mentioned that Tehran has received 'mixed messages' from the Trump administration. On July 17, during a meeting at the 'Council on Foreign Relations' in New York, Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized Saudi Arabia, one of the United States' key allies in the West Asian region. He added that Tehran and Riyadh 'can and must' work together to solve problems arising between them in countries like Yemen and Syria. Although the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia has been tumultuous, it is currently facing widespread tensions and crises. These tensions include the support of both governments for opposing groups in Yemen and Syria, attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions, the severing of diplomatic relations by Riyadh and its allies, and other issues. Mohammad Javad Zarif stated, 'We do not need to fight each other to eliminate one another from the Middle East.' He added, 'Because in the end, neither can eliminate the other.' According to the Iranian Foreign Minister, extremist groups 'are a threat to both us and them, but even more to them.' Mohammed bin Salman, the current Crown Prince and Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, stated in an interview with Saudi state television in May that Riyadh would not wait for the war to come to Saudi Arabia and is trying to bring the battle to Iran. A few days later, the Iranian Minister of Defense warned that if Saudi Arabia took action in this direction, 'we will leave no place safe other than Mecca and Medina.' However, Mr. Zarif expressed hope that there would not be a direct confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia: 'We certainly hope that if we do not agree on the situation in Yemen or Syria, we can still cooperate and resolve these issues.' In another part of his remarks, Zarif stated that Tehran has received 'mixed messages' from the Trump administration. The Iranian Foreign Minister noted that there has been no contact between him and Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, but 'that does not mean that a relationship cannot be formed, as the possibility of interaction regarding the nuclear agreement always exists.' According to Zarif, Iranian and American officials have been regularly communicating regarding the nuclear agreement. This Iranian official, who had met and discussed with former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during the nuclear talks, reiterated Tehran's criticism of what it termed the U.S. failure to adhere to the 'spirit of the agreement.' Zarif stated that representatives of the six world powers negotiating with Iran are scheduled to meet on the upcoming Friday to discuss Iran's complaint against the U.S. regarding its failure to meet its commitments. The Iranian Foreign Minister's remarks come at a time when the United States has also accused Tehran of violating the 'spirit of the agreement.' The Trump administration, in its latest report to the U.S. Congress on July 17, confirmed that Iran remains compliant with the provisions of the nuclear agreement and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, although it has acted contrary to its 'spirit.' Simultaneously, a senior U.S. official stated that Washington views Tehran's activities with 'malice' and that non-nuclear sanctions against it are forthcoming. The U.S. confirmation of Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement was published shortly after Mr. Zarif's statements. Mr. Zarif has traveled to New York to participate in a meeting of senior officials from countries at the United Nations regarding the organization's poverty alleviation program.