Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Tehran on Monday, Qassemi pointed to recent remarks by Saudi officials against a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Egyptian counterpart, saying that the meeting was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and within the framework of the two countries’ consultations on regional issues.
“Saudi Arabia is still sticking to its irresponsible and obstructive positions and seeking to damage Iran’s ties with its neighbors and regional countries,” he regretted.
In response to a question about Iran’s efforts to pursue the resolution of problems created by Saudi Arabia, the Iranian spokesman said there is no political relationship or negotiations between the two countries.
Relations between Tehran and Riyadh have strained in recent years after their conflicting views on regional developments, particularly on Yemen and Syria, became more noticeable.
The relations further deteriorated after a crush of pilgrims in Mina, near Saudi Arabia’s Mecca, in September 2015, which killed over 7,000 Hajj pilgrims, including 465 Iranians.
Tehran has blamed the deaths on the Al Saud’s mismanagement of the Hajj pilgrimage and criticized Riyadh for “lack of cooperation” on restoring the rights of families of the victims.