Saudi Arabia shows concern over Iran's 'lack of cooperation'
King Salman bin Abdulaziz conveyed late Wednesday that Saudi Arabia was concerned about Iran's lack of cooperation on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs with the international community during talks in Vienna on the country's nuclear deal.
The Saudi king expressed hope in a speech in front of the kingdom's Shura Council that Iran's "negative" behavior would change and it would begin to make use of dialogue and cooperation.
"We follow with concern the Iranian government's policy that is destabilizing regional security and stability, including building and backing sectarian armed militias and spreading its military power in other countries," the ruler conveyed during the speech broadcast by the state-run SPA news agency.
"Iran is a neighboring country. We expect it to change its negative policy and behavior in the region and turn towards dialogue and cooperation," he added.
He also expressed alarm over Iran's "lack of cooperation with the international community regarding its nuclear program and its development of ballistic missiles," the Saudi king added.
Historically, both countries, Saudi Arabia and Iran, have been on opposite sides and shown their rivalry in several conflicts, such as Yemen, Syria and Lebanon.
Also, in October, Saudi Arabia along with other Gulf countries expelled envoys from Lebanon, amid a diplomatic dispute that adds to the country's economic crisis.
In the face of this, Saudi Arabian officials communicated that the crisis with Beirut, the Lebanese capital, dates its beginnings from the country's support for the rule of the armed group Hezbollah, itself backed by Iran.
"The Kingdom also supports the brotherly Lebanese people and urges all Lebanese leaders to prioritize the interests of their people (...) and stop Hezbollah's terrorist hegemony over the structures of the state," King Salman bin Abdulaziz communicated.
"We are also following up on the Iranian regime's support for the Huthi terrorist militia, which is spreading the war in Yemen, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis there and threatening the security of the kingdom and the region," the ruler added.
However, the Saudi king has assured that the kingdom is interested in "the security and stability of Yemen and the region," in addition to stressing its constant effort and work to "alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people," with the aim of "pressuring all parties to accept political solutions," according to Sky News.
On Syria and Libya, the monarch maintained his stance on supporting "all efforts that are aimed at reaching political solutions that preserve the sovereignty, unity and security of the two countries," as well as ensuring lasting security and stability to "end the suffering of the people."
In addition, the Saudi Arabian king expressed that he followed "with great concern the policies of the Iranian regime," including the "establishment and support of sectarian and armed militias, the systematic deployment of its military capabilities in the countries of the region and its lack of cooperation with the international community regarding the nuclear program."
However, in an attempt to ease tensions and improve international relations between the two countries, Saudi and Iranian officials held a series of meetings and direct talks earlier this year, albeit without any significant progress.
On the other hand, the king took advantage of the meeting to congratulate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the projects carried out to create a diversified economy through tourism and other reforms, which will create "great job opportunities."
Last Tuesday, Shura Speaker Abdullah al-Seiji highlighted the "distinguished" work of the Council, which "has made remarkable contributions to the reforms carried out by the country," according to the Saudi Gazette newspaper.
