Amir-Abdollahian: Iran-Saudi Arabia cooperation helps solve existing problems in region

Iran’s foreign minister says cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia could help solve the existing problems facing the region and the Muslim world.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a Thursday phone call with Hissein Ibrahim Taha, the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), during which they discussed the existing issues in the Islamic world, Iran’s cooperation with the OIC, reopening of Iran’s mission with the organization and several other regional issues.

During the conversation, Amir-Abdollahian said the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia are two important countries in the region and the Muslim world.

Stressing the important role of major Islamic countries in solving the problems of the Islamic Ummah, Iran’s top diplomat expressed hope that cooperation between Tehran and Riyadh would help solve the problems that face the region and the Islamic world.

Expressing gratitude for the efforts of Ibrahim Taha to help reopen Iran’s mission at the organization’s Secretariat in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, Amir-Abdollahian pointed to some issues and problems facing the Islamic world and described the role of the OIC’s secretary general as effective in solving the problems of the Islamic world.

Ibrahim Taha, for his part, welcomed the reopening and active participation of the Islamic Republic’s mission in the organization, and lauded Iran's effective and important role as a founding and active member of the OIC.

The OIC’s secretary general stressed that the intergovernmental organization will not be able to solve the problems of the Islamic world without the active participation and cooperation of all Muslim countries, and urged all members to fully support the organization.

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Voicing support for talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Ibrahim Taha expressed regret over the emergence of problems between Muslim countries, adding that the organization invites Muslim nations to peace and dialogue.

At the end of their conversation, Iran's foreign minister invited Ibrahim Taha to pay a visit to Iran, which was accepted by him.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016 after Iranian protesters, enraged by the Saudi execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, stormed its embassy in Tehran.

For years, the kingdom pursued a confrontational foreign policy toward the Islamic Republic, but it recently appeared to have changed track.

The two Middle East heavyweights have held four rounds of talks since April, including a meeting in December with the administration of new President Ebrahim Raeisi.

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