Iran is optimistic about improving its relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Fathali said Wednesday.
“We seek to establish the best brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia based on the principle of mutual respect,” Fathali said. “We see positive indications on the horizon concerning Iranian-Saudi relations."
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif’s participation in the funeral services of late King Abdullah was an example of a goodwill gesture from Iran’s side, the diplomat explained.
The move was reciprocated by the participation of Saudi Ambassador in Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri in the ceremony commemorating the anniversary of Iran’s Islamic revolution.
The Iranian ambassador described relations with his Saudi counterpart as “very good.”
“Saudi Arabia and Iran have common enemies like [Daesh] and Israel,” Fathali said. “The Saudi elites have reached this conviction.”
“Turkish-Iranian relations are very good and economic trade has reached $20billion,” he said. “There will be an official visit for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan [soon].”
A fierce opponent of the West and the United States, Iran has long been a regional rival to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, both U.S. allies.
Differences were further exacerbated after the eruption of the Syrian Civil War, with Iran supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad and his regime, and Turkey and Saudi Arabia backing rebel groups.
