‘Iran must change if it wants normal relations in the region,’ say US and Saudi

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir and US Secretary of State John Kerry have stressed the need for Iran to change its policies if it wants normal relations with its neighbours. Such a change would include an end to what they described as Iran’s “interference” in regional affairs as well as offering support for the security and stability efforts being made. “Otherwise,” insisted Al-Jubeir and Kerry, “dealing with Iran will be difficult.”

The pair made their statement during a joint press conference in the Bahrain capital Manama last night, as part of the ongoing preparations for a summit between US President Barack Obama and Gulf leaders in Riyadh on 21 April.

The Saudi minister explained that during their meeting he and Kerry discussed the results of the Camp David summit held last May and America’s promises to protect the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from any external attacks. “We also discussed how to confront Iran’s interventions in the region and dealing with the challenges in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, as well as the joint efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.”

The Gulf States, he pointed out, have also stressed their support for Morocco over the Sahara Desert issue and the importance of pursuing Rabat’s proposal of autonomy. “We should not take any measures that may weaken this position,” he said. This is a stand approved by Kerry and the US.

Describing the Gulf-US meetings as “constructive and fruitful”, Al-Jubeir said that their discussions about Iran, Saudi and the US included criticism of “Iran’s attempts to smuggle weapons to the Houthis in Yemen and any other group at a time that we are trying to move forward with the peace process.” Washington and Riyadh, he confirmed, have also condemned Iran’s attempt to smuggle explosives and weapons across the region, including into the GCC states.

According to Secretary of State Kerry, he discussed with his Gulf counterparts the agenda of the summit bringing Obama and GCC leaders together next month. “We agreed that evaluating the concept of partnership between the Gulf States and NATO countries would contribute to the security and stability of the region,” he said. Such evaluation “will continue over the coming days.”