Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 2
By Farhad Daneshvar – Trend:
A pro-conservative Iranian analyst has denied a recent exchange of handshake between Iranian and Saudi chief diplomats could be an indication of improving relations between the regional rivals, turning down speculations over easing the tensions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir shook hands on the sidelines of an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Turkey on Tuesday, in a move that could be interpreted as an improvement in ties.
“Zarif and Adel al-Jubeir shook hands solely to observe Islamic courtesy and traditions. This does not provide any firm indication of improving ties between the two countries,” Hamid Reza Taraghi, an Iranian conservative analyst and a former MP, told Trend.
Elaborating on his analysis on the development, Taraghi added that the sides did not enter into any negotiations following the handshake.
A high number of Iranian pilgrims are expected to partake in this year’s Hajj ritual in Saudi Arabia a year after Tehran’s decision to stop sending its pilgrims to the Kingdom due to concerns over the security of its nationals in the Arab country.
In a September 2015 tragic incident during the Hajj rituals in Mina, near holy city of Mecca, two large masses of pilgrims converged at a crossroads leaving thousands of pilgrims killed, including hundreds of Iranians.
Addressing Hajj officials on July 30, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for unity among Muslims.