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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
(R) and his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari,
attend a joint press conference in Tehran on
January 6, 2015
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Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif
says the government of Saudi Arabia must stop
measures that only serve to pour fuel on
regional tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking during a press conference with his Iraqi
counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, in Tehran on
Wednesday, Zarif said the Saudi regime has, over
the past two and a half years, moved against
measures taken by Iran to contribute to the
restoration of peace and unity in the region.
The Iranian foreign minister warned Saudi Arabian
officials that any measure that would lead to
escalation of tensions and create crises in the
region will not benefit its perpetrator.
“We invite all parties to become united in
the face of extremism, terrorism,
sectarianism, and tribalism,” Zarif noted,
adding that measures taken to intensify
such factors will backfire on those who
take such steps.
Zarif stated that Riyadh worked in line with the
Israeli regime’s policy to undermine negotiation
between Iran and six world powers over Tehran’s
nuclear program, adding that the Saudi rulers even
cut down oil prices to harm Tehran.
Iran has shown tolerance toward Saudi acts as it
believes conflicts in the region will not serve the
interests of any side, the Iranian foreign minister
said.
Zarif also emphasized that measures aimed at
fomenting tension in the terror-hit Middle East
region do not stem from the power of those who
take them, but are out of pure “weakness.”
Zarif: No justification for Sheikh Nimr’s execution
Elsewhere in his remarks during the
press conference, Zarif explained about special
regional conditions following the recent execution
of senior Saudi Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr,
adding that he had discussed the issue with his
Iraqi counterpart.
He noted that Saudi Arabia’s measure to
execute the cleric was by no means justifiable
because he was “a person who dedicated his
entire life to invite people to Islam through
peaceful means, dialogue, and interaction” and
took advantage of all civil capacities to oppose
recourse to military forces, terrorism and
extremism.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
talks to reporters during a joint press
conference along with his Iraqi counterpart,
Ibrahim al-Jaafari (not shown), in Tehran on
January 6, 2015.
“The measure taken against this reformist and
scholarly figure is by no means justified and it has
been met with hatred and condemnation across the
world,” Zarif said.
Attacking foreign missions unacceptable
Elsewhere in his presser, Iran's top diplomat
explained on recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s
embassy in Tehran and consulate in the
northeastern city of Mashhad.
“What happened on Saturday night in
Tehran and Mashhad is not acceptable at
all. All officials of the Islamic Republic
have condemned these measures in the
strongest terms,” he emphasized.
Zarif added that the government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran considers itself under religious
and legal obligation to protect “those guests who
are present in Iran as diplomats of foreign
countries.”
The Iranian foreign minister said following
“regrettable incidents” that happened on Saturday
night, the Islamic Republic of Iran will seriously
prosecute all people who have broken the law in
this regard.
“All necessary measures have been taken to
protect diplomatic missions, including the staff of
Saudi embassy in Tehran and the Saudi consulate
in Mashhad,” Zarif noted.
Jaafari: Iraq condemns Sheikh Nimr’s execution
The Iraqi foreign minister, for his part, condemned
Saudi Arabia’s execution of Sheikh Nimr,
describing him as a person who sought reforms
and did not believe in use of arms.
“When I heard the news, I was shocked. I have
talked to five or six Arab foreign ministers as well
as the secretary general of the Arab League in this
regard since yesterday,” Jaafari noted, adding that
the goal of his consultation was to calm the
situation and find a solution to this problem.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari talks to
reporters during a joint press conference along
with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad
Zarif (not shown), in Tehran on January 6,
2015.
He also praised Tehran-Baghdad ties as very
cordial, adding that Iran is no way after creating
tension in the region.
The Iraqi foreign minister is expected to meet and
confer with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani later
on Wednesday.
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