Saudi calls on Iran to respect nuclear deal

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir yesterday called on Iran to change its foreign policy and respect the nuclear agreement signed with world powers, warning that sanctions will resume if Tehran does not respect the settlement.

“Tehran should make concessions, mainly to halt uranium enrichment and open up its nuclear facilities to International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to ensure that it does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons,” Al-Jubeir said in a joint press conference with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin.

“The goal is to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons and to curb its negative effects on the region,” he added.

He stressed Saudi’s keenness to build “excellent” relations with Iran, but explained that this depends on the Iranian government itself.

Regarding Syria, Al-Jubeir said there was no “future for Bashar Al-Assad in Syria” stressing that “as soon as he leaves power, the dispute will be resolved.” The minister stressed the need to reach a political solution in Syria in accordance with the Geneva 1 agreement.

Meanwhile, the German foreign minister said he understood the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other Arab countries’ concerns regarding the Iranian nuclear deal but hoped that the agreement contributes to establishing security and stability in the region, and to finding solutions to regional crises including in Syria.

“We cannot expect Tehran to change its policy overnight,” Steinmeier said, adding that he hopes that the US Congress would approve the deal.