Zarif: It is Not in Iran's Interest to Lose Saudi Arabia

Iran's Foreign Minister stated that it is not in Iran's interest to lose Saudi Arabia, and that Saudi Arabia's interests will not be realized by losing Iran. In a meeting with editors of Arab newspapers during an interview with the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai, Mohammad Javad Zarif pointed out that Iran and Saudi Arabia share common interests, challenges, and characteristics such as religion, history, and geography, and then posed the question of why these two countries should not cooperate with each other. Zarif mentioned that Iran and Arab countries are in the same boat, stating that if this boat suffers damage, everyone will sink and no one will be saved. His remarks come at a time when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized Saudi officials for their 'mismanagement' regarding the Mina incident during a live interview broadcasted on state television and radio. Previously, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, had also warned of the possibility of a 'harsh' reaction from Iran towards Saudi Arabia. Zarif emphasized that Tehran believes Saudi Arabia is targeted by ISIS and terrorism, adding that Iran looks forward to improving relations and friendship with Saudi Arabia. His views are published amid extensive disagreements between Iran and Saudi Arabia on fundamental regional issues ranging from Bahrain to Syria, Iraq, and especially Yemen. The depth of these disagreements is such that the prospect of balanced relations between the two countries remains uncertain, as each must fundamentally reconsider its policies to achieve this balance. In another part of his interview with Al-Rai, Zarif considered the future of Iran and Arab countries as one, stressing that if Arabs understand this and are assured that Iran will stand by them, it will help them reach a shore of security.