Saudi Arabia belies Iranian claims about ‘peace signals’

Islam Mohamed

Iranian claims that Saudi Arabia is sending it signals that it wants to negotiate to end the war in Yemen are turning false after Riyadh denied these claims.

Rogue regime

The claims have reveled Iranian attempts to dominate decision-making in the Arab Gulf region.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir criticized Tehran, describing it as a “rogue state” that sponsors terrorism.

He added that his country had not sent any signals to Iran after the latest attacks on two oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia and other countries have accused Iran of perpetrating the September 14 attacks against two oil plants operated by Saudi oil giant Aramco.

Al-Jubeir said Iranian reports about signals from Saudi Arabia were not accurate.

“Iran has to act as a normal state, not as a rogue one that sponsors terrorism,” al-Jubeir said.

He unveiled efforts by some friendly states to broker calm between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saudi Arabia, he said, clarified that it only wants to preserve security and calm in the region.

He added that Saudi Arabia also said that the calm had to come from the state that makes the escalation.

“We have not talked about Yemen with the Iranians,” al-Jubeir said. “Yemen is an affair that concerns the Yemenis.”

He said Iran could have demonstrated its support for peace in Yemen if it had offered development aid to the poor Arab state in the past decades.

He said his country rejects terrorism and interference in the affairs of Arab states.

Peace in Yemen, al-Jubeir said, is the last thing Iran wants.

“Stop your backing of terrorism, unrest and interference in Arab affairs,” al-Jubeir said, addressing Iran. “You have to stop developing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.”

Al-Jubeir noted that Iran’s destabilizing role stands behind the crisis in Yemen. This role, he said, hinders efforts for bringing about a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the country.

Promoting dreams

Iranian affairs specialist Mohamed Alaa said Iran’s mullahs are only promoting what they are dreaming of.

“It wants to make everybody believe that Saudi Arabia works to curry favors with it,” he told The Reference.

He said Arab states only want Iran to act as a normal state that does not interfere in the affairs of other states.

“Iran spreads lies, depending on the Qatari media machine,” Alaa said. “This machine is now becoming the mouthpiece of Iran’s mullahs.”