Zarif: The Attack on the Saudi Embassy Was Not Foolishness, It Was Treachery

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, criticized the attack on the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran, stating that the incident was not properly 'managed' by the relevant authorities. Following the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia on January 1, 2016, a protest was held in front of the embassy, which ultimately led to some individuals entering the embassy and causing damage to the building. This attack resulted in Saudi Arabia severing diplomatic relations with Iran. According to ISNA, Zarif, during a Teacher's Day commemoration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' School of International Relations, stated: 'We had two significant developments on the verge of the implementation of the JCPOA (nuclear agreement with the P5+1): one was the attack on the Saudi embassy and the other was an incident in the Persian Gulf involving an American naval vessel. One was poorly managed, and the other was managed correctly. Now, we will not address the claim that both incidents were designed to prevent the implementation of the JCPOA. However, the type of management is very important.' This speech was held on Wednesday, and the media published the text on Thursday. Zarif continued: 'We were present at the Supreme National Security Council on the day of the attack on the Saudi embassy, and there was a consensus that if the Saudi embassy was attacked, it would provide a pretext for new mischief from the Saudis, which indeed happened. Rest assured that if this foolishness and, in my opinion, historical treachery had not occurred, today the situation would be different.' He emphasized: 'I say this without any doubt. Just as if we had not stayed awake that night and resolved the issue of the American sailors with dignity and wisdom, today we would be in a different situation.' Zarif referred to the detention of ten American sailors by the Revolutionary Guards in the Persian Gulf on January 11, 2016, who were released after one day. 'An incident in Syria caused the flow to change,' Zarif mentioned in another part of his remarks, referring to the new U.S. approach towards Syria. He said: 'When Mr. Trump became the President of the United States, some said Trump has domestic problems and does not want to get involved in foreign crises. An incident, namely the chemical situation in Syria, which, even if fabricated, is worse! - caused a 180-degree change in U.S. policy.' Zarif referred to the chemical attack in Khan Shaykhun in Idlib province, Syria, which left dozens dead. Zarif continued, referencing former U.S. President George W. Bush and the September 11 terrorist attacks: 'Bush, who was called the war president, just like Trump before taking office, had the same claim (of not engaging in external issues), but an incident, whatever it was, whether a conspiracy or design, caused history to change. An incident in Syria caused the flow to change, and this is due to the fluid conditions of international relations.' In response to the chemical attack in Khan Shaykhun, Donald Trump ordered a strike on a Syrian airbase. In response to this chemical attack, the U.S. targeted the Shayrat airbase in Homs province with 59 missiles.