Iran: Saudi Seeks Imposing its Will on other Nations

Local Editor

Following the recent statement released by the Arab League against the Islamic Republic, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said that Saudi Arabia seeks imposing its own will on other nations to give the impression that Riyadh is not isolated and alone in its policies.

Ansari stated in his weekly press conference on Monday that: "Saudi Arabia's policy is based on imposing its unilateral policies on other nations and governments."
"Saudi Arabia is pursuing attempts within the framework of its unilateral policies both at the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] and the Arab League to win allies and imply that it is not alone," Ansari added.

However, the Saudi Kingdom severed diplomatic relations with Iran on January 3 following demonstrations held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad by angry protesters censuring the Saud family for the execution of Nimr.

After a Sunday meeting of the Arab League, the 22-member body sufficed to issuing a joint statement backing Riyadh in the row with Tehran. Lebanon even refused to endorse that statement. Also in a statement on Saturday, foreign ministers of the [GCC] went only so far as expressing their support for Saudi Arabia.

For his part, Ansari explained that Riyadh failed to convince the majority of Arab states to follow suit and cut diplomatic ties with Tehran.

In addition, he considered that Saudi Arabia heavily lobbied and pressured Arab bodies but they refused to do as Riyadh wanted them to.

He further added that the statements by the Arab League and the [GCC] constituted "some slogans" which were tantamount to a mere "declaration of stance."

However, the Iranian official said that the international community widely condemned Nimr's execution, which was carried out "in violation of international law on human rights."

In the context, Ansari stressed that the Islamic Republic adopts its policy "based on prudence and avoiding tension."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team