Tehran, Iran, Jan. 17
By Mehdi Sepahvand, Fatih Karimov – Trend:
Iran’s president says many countries, including Kuwait and Iraq, have expressed readiness to mediate between Tehran and Riyadh.
Hassan Rouhani made the remarks during a press conference in Tehran on the first anniversary of implementation of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action aka nuclear deal), Trend's correspondent reported from the event.
“We are ready to help Saudi Arabia on Yemen and regional issues if they make a right decision,” Rouhani said Jan. 17.
“Riyadh started the problem itself by attacking Yemen without any basis,” he said, adding that it is in Saudis' interest to stop attacks on Yemen.
“Iran does not want to change the regime in Saudi Arabia, nor do we want to intervene in their internal affairs.”
However, Rouhani accused the Saudi government of “supporting terrorism.”
Rouhani said the Saudi government should change its “misguided” policies, expressing hope to cooperate with Saudis in bringing stability to the region.
Relations between Tehran and Riyadh have been strained over the past years after their conflicting views on regional developments, particularly on Yemen and Syria, became more noticeable.
Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iran after protesters stormed the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad on January 2, 2016 in response to Riyadh's execution of a prominent Saudi Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.