Saudi minister says talks with Iran still at ‘very early’ stage
SMA NEWS – RIYADH
Saudi Arabia is “hopeful” after exploratory talks with Iran, its foreign minister said, in a rare comment on the delicate discussions.
“We have initiated some exploratory talks. They are at a very early stage but we are hopeful,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan said in Paris on Tuesday, where he is participating in two international summits.
The talks with Iran, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, had remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting had been held in Baghdad on April 9.
They aim at restoring relations severed five years ago between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shia Islamic Republic of Iran.
Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia, accuse Iran of having an expansionist agenda in the region and interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries, an accusation that Tehran denies.
The Iranian government only confirmed on May 10 that the talks had been held, adding that it was “too soon” to discuss the results.
“If (the Iranians) can see that their interest is in a good relationship with their neighbours, I can be hopeful,” Prince Faisal said, emphasising again that they were “at an early stage.”
