Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 9
By Farhad Daneshvar – Trend:
Iranian envoy to Baku has criticized Saudi Arabia for the execution of a prominent Shia cleric as well as over-supplying the oil market.
“We believe Execution of Sheikh Nimr was unjustifiable because he was a cleric who pushed for peace and was against terrorism and extremism to the extent that his execution has been condemned by the world,” Iran's Ambassador Mohsen Pak-Ayeen told Trend Dec. 9.
Over the past week, the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia deteriorated following the kingdom’s execution of a prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, on Jan. 2.
“Saudi Arabia has been pumping extra oil to the market with the aim of bringing down prices in order to follow western policy against Iran,” he added.
Saying that the Islamic Republic pursues policy of friendly ties with its neighboring states as well as maintaining “positive” and “constructive” relations, the ambassador added that Iran’s main demand is to fight against terrorism and extremist groups.
Meanwhile Iran urges for establishing stability and security in the region, he said.
“Unfortunately Saudi Arabian government made mistakes supporting terrorism in the region and adopting wrong policies which will lead to no result,” Pak-Ayeen mentioned.
“I express my regrets over measures taken by Saudi Arabia aimed at creating discord among Shia and Sunni Muslims and expansion of Wahhabism in the Muslim states,” he said.
“Despite the huge mistakes that Saudi Arabia has made, the Islamic Republic does not seek to create tension in the Middle East,” he stated.
He further added that Iran seeks to foster friendship and brotherhood in the region which is facing threats of terrorism and extremism.
Contrary to Saudi Arabia, over the past 2.5 years Tehran has made efforts to maintain brotherly ties with Riyadh, he added.
Riyadh has accused Tehran of meddling in the internal affairs of Arab countries, particularly Yemen, Bahrain, Syria and Iraq. However, Iran has dismissed the accusations.
He further accused Saudi Arabia of displaying hostile behavior towards Iran.
“Riyadh along with Israel unsuccessfully sought to kill the nuclear deal between Iran and the world’s major powers,” he added.
Iran and the P5+1 group of countries reached a landmark deal over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program in July last year. Under the deal most of international sanctions against Tehran are expected to be lifted in early January.
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