Iran hopes for talks with Saudis to resolve differences

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says his country is ready to “do anything it can” to restore its relations with Saudi Arabia, for the sake of promoting progress and prosperity in the Muslim world. Rouhani, who wound up a two-day visit to Pakistan, said he believes in resolving differences through talks, although direct talks between the […]

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says his country is ready to “do anything it can” to restore its relations with Saudi Arabia, for the sake of promoting progress and prosperity in the Muslim world.
Rouhani, who wound up a two-day visit to Pakistan, said he believes in resolving differences through talks, although direct talks between the two nations are unlikely in the short term.
Saudi Arabia broke off relations with Iran in January, when mobs stormed into the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran to protest against the Saudis’ execution of a Shi’ite religious leader. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Rouhani said Iran is “not interested in tension with Saudi Arabia.”
“Iran is a very big country in the region and the Muslim world,” he said. “Saudi Arabia plays an influential role in the Muslim world. Therefore, if there is a problem between the two countries it has to be resolved.”