Tehran, Iran, January 9
By Mehdi Sepahvand -- Trend:
The Islamic Republic of Iran has of yet made no decision whether to halt trade with Saudi Arabia after recent political disputes, Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) Deputy Director Mohammad Reza Movadvadi said.
"Although political relations with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Sudan have been downgraded, there have been no changes in trade relations with the countries," he said, ISNA news agency reported January 9.
He added as the body responsible for promoting exports, the TPOI thinks that trade ties should be established with the whole world.
"Yet, we are in such situation that some countries may be willing to hinder our trade due to their hostility with us," he pointed out.
"Therefore, we should seek alternative markets. I think there are many substitute export destinations in Europe and some other countries which can even be more profitable."
The remarks came after relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia grew murky in the wake of Riyadh's beheading of a Shia cleric. The execution triggered Iranian protestors to set the Saudi embassy in Tehran on fire last week.
After the embassy torching, Saudi Arabia expelled Iran's diplomats from its soil.
On January 8 Iran said Saudi fighters had attacked its embassy in Sana'a, Yemen, destroying the building and injuring a few.