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Russia offers to mediate talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran

October 12, 2017 at 9:52 am

Russia has offered to mediate talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a senior official in Moscow has said. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov made his comment when he was asked if Russia has ever offered to mediate talks between the rival states. He said that several attempts have been made.

“However, we do not impose our intermediary role,” Bogdanov explained. “Much depends on these two countries understanding and, we hope, their cooperation, especially in the fight against terrorism.”

Iran has set several conditions for resuming diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, including an end to the Kingdom’s military operations in Yemen through its Arab coalition. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasimi on Monday, the two countries have planned visits by delegations from both countries to inspect diplomatic premises but they have not yet taken place.

Read: Saudi Arabia’s outreach to Moscow underlines the loss of US influence

He said that to improve relations between them, Saudi Arabia “must end its irrational behaviour towards Iran and the region’s countries” and end its “aggression against the oppressed people of Yemen.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif told Iranian media earlier this month that the government in Tehran does not want to continue tension with Saudi Arabia, and wants to improve relations with Riyadh.