Iraqi FM Urges Détente between Iran, Saudi Arabia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said his country feels duty-bound to help improve the strained relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, after the kingdom executed prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and severed ties with Iran.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Wednesday, Jaafari said he was shocked by the news of Saudi Arabia’s execution of the top Shiite cleric.
The visiting diplomat underlined that Iraq cannot remain silent on the killing of a cleric that has hurt the feelings of Muslims.
Jaafari also noted that Iraq has plans to use its close relations with Arab countries to relieve tensions between Tehran and Riyadh.
If the crisis rages, it will affect all nations, the Iraqi diplomat warned.
Saudi Arabia announced severance of relations with Iran after the kingdom’s execution of Sheikh Nimr drew widespread international condemnation and ignited furious protests in Iran during which some of the demonstrators stormed the Saudi diplomatic buildings in Tehran and Mashhad.
Iranian officials condemned the attacks, with President Hassan Rouhani calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.