Tehran Ready for Comprehensive Dialogue with Riyadh
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani voiced Iran’s willingness to continue talks with Saudi Arabia on issues of mutual interest.
In a Tuesday meeting in Tehran with Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Hossein Sadeqi, Shamkhani underlined that the Islamic Republic is ready to continue frank, transparent and comprehensive dialogue with Saudi Arabia on all issues of mutual concern.
He also referred to the consequences of sectarian and tribal clashes in the Muslim world and stressed the need for Islamic countries to play an active role in preventing bloodshed among Muslims and seriously confronting extremism and terrorism “which has been manifested today in the guise of ISIL (the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) group”.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are divided on a number of regional issues such as the situation in Syria, Bahrain and Iraq.
Tehran has always been critical of Riyadh’s support for the heavy-handed crackdown of the Bahraini regime on peaceful protesters.
Saudi Arabia is also believed to provide support for extremist militants fighting in Syria and Iraq, including the terrorist group ISIL.
