Zarif: Iran is not seeking tension in the region

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, said on Wednesday, January 6, that Iran is not seeking tension in the region. According to IRNA, the Iranian Foreign Minister, who participated in a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Tehran, stated: "The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is interaction with neighbors." Mr. Zarif also accused Riyadh of acting contrary to Tehran's efforts for understanding and brotherhood over the past two and a half years. The Iranian Foreign Minister referred to Saudi Arabia's actions during the nuclear negotiations and also to the lowering of oil prices. Meanwhile, experts consider Saudi Arabia's refusal to lower its oil production as just one of the reasons for the drop in oil prices. Energy conservation, declining demand in a significant part of the industrial world, the official return of the U.S. to the global oil export markets, and the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran are also considered reasons for the fall in oil prices. Saudi Arabia was opposed to the Iran nuclear deal, but last summer, senior officials of the country stated after meeting with American officials that "this agreement will play a significant role in the security and stability of the Middle East." Iran and Saudi Arabia have had tense relations over regional issues, especially regarding Syria and Yemen, and this tension peaked after the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, and the subsequent attack by protesters on the Saudi embassy in Tehran. One day after the attack on Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad, Saudi Arabia severed relations with Iran. The United Nations Security Council condemned this attack. The Iranian Foreign Minister, meanwhile, deemed the events that occurred in Tehran and Mashhad regarding Saudi diplomatic missions as unacceptable, stating that Iran would seriously deal with all individuals who were negligent or violated the law in this area. According to Mr. Zarif, all officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemned these actions. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, while condemning the execution of Sheikh Nimr, dedicated part of his speech to denouncing the attack by "extremists" on the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran, considering these attacks as equivalent to "an insult to the system." Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, in response to the execution of Sheikh Nimr, said that "the hand of divine revenge will seize the Saudi officials." However, Saudi officials described these remarks as interference in their internal affairs. In this context, "the goal of the Saudis is to undermine the JCPOA" continues discussions in the U.S. for sanctions against Iran due to missile tests, Kerry's calls with Iran and Saudi Arabia to maintain peace talks in Syria, and the Iranian ambassador in Kuwait stating that the level of relations between the two sides has not changed.