Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad at the end of his two-day trip to Pakistan, Rouhani stressed that Iran is not interested in escalation of tensions with Saudi Arabia.
“Iran is a major country in the Muslim world and Saudi Arabia has an important position, too,” he told reporters. “If there is a problem between the two countries, it should be resolved and countries like Pakistan have made efforts in this regard.”
He said it is necessary that the Islamic world move away from tensions. “The Muslim world needs welfare and progress which can only be materialized if collaborations continue and grow.”
Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran on January 3 following demonstrations held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad by angry protesters censuring the Al Saud family for the execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in Riyadh on January 2.
Nimr’s execution caused international outrage and sparked anti-Saudi demonstrations in many countries.
Several countries, including Pakistan, have voiced readiness to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia to ease up their tensions.