Saudi Foreign Minister: Additional Measures against Iran May be Taken

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said today that Saudi Arabia may take further measures against Iran. Minister Al-Jubeir's comments came in a press conference following the extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which he chaired in Riyadh. 

"We are looking at additional measures to be taken against Iran if it continues with its current policies," said Minister Al-Jubeir.

"It is Iran that has committed the aggression against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is Iran that interferes in our internal affairs and the internal affairs of our neighboring countries. It is Iran that sponsors terrorism against us and our neighbors. It is Iran that harbors terrorists and those implicated in terrorism," said Minister Al-Jubeir. "Sectarianism in the Middle East was virtually unheard until the Iranian revolution took place."

He continued, "Iran has to make a decision whether it is a nation state or a revolution. If it's a nation state it should act like one, and be a rational actor, that countries can deal with. If it is a revolution, it will be very difficult - if not impossible - to deal with them because revolutions have no logic..."

Regarding the effect of the crisis with Iran on the Syrian negotiations, Minister Al-Jubeir stated, "We are committed to the Vienna process and to bring about a resolution to the Syrian crisis. We will continue to work with the countries in the Vienna process in order to bring about a resolution to the Syrian crisis based on the principles of Geneva 1, an interim governing council transition of power that leads to a new Syria in which Bashar Al-Assad has absolutely no role."  

The foreign minister reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to a peaceful resolution in Yemen based on the GCC initiatives and the outcomes of the Yemeni national dialogue and based on UN Security Council resolution 2216. "We urge all parties in Yemen to move towards a peaceful solution," said Minister Al-Jubeir.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office