Ankara (Reuters): Iran dismissed as “nonsense” comments made after US Defence Secretary James Mattis met with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman that condemned Tehran’s destabilising regional influence, state news agency Irna reported on Friday.
Mattis and Prince Mohammad, who is the kingdom’s defence minister, met on Thursday and discussed US-Saudi military cooperation in the fight against Daesh. A statement issued by the Pentagon said they also discussed tackling “Iran’s destabilising regional activities.” Irna cited Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, blaming the Saudi prince for the comments.
“This Saudi official, who is one of the key players in the Saudi war against innocent people in Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and other countries in the region ... has made an irrelevant remark out of desperation,” Qasemi was quoted as saying.
Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing factions in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Bahrain.
Qasemi, echoing Iran’s official stance, said Tehran and Riyadh should be able to work together to help end conflicts in the Middle East.
