Saudi Arabia supports efforts to prevent Iran from nuclear weapons
DUBAI, Sept 22 : Reuters - Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz told the United Nations General Assembly in June that his kingdom supports efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as world leaders prepare to resume talks with Tehran to restore a 2015 nuclear pact.
The kingdom insists on the importance of keeping the Middle East free from weapons of mass destruction; on this basis we support international efforts aimed at preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons, he said in a pre-recorded video address to the annual gathering.
Iran and Saudi Arabia, leading Islamic Muslim power in the Middle East, have been rivals for years backing allies fighting proxy wars in Yemen, Syria and elsewhere. They cut diplomatic ties in 2016, but have held talks this year aimed at reducing tensions.
Iran is a neighboring country and we hope that our initial discussions with it will lead to concrete results to build confidence on. He stressed respect for sovereignty and non-intervention in internal affairs.
His remarks followed a call by Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi to resume nuclear talks with world powers that would lead to the removal of U.S. sanctions. The Iranian Foreign Minister met his Saudi counterpart during the general assembly on Tuesday, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency. In his address Saudi Arab King Salman said Yemen's Houthis were rejecting peaceful initiatives to end the war and that Yemen would defend itself against ballistic missiles and armed drones.
The 85-year-old ruler said the kingdom has taken big steps over the past five years since his heir Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched an ambitious plan to diversify the economy away from dependence on oil and other changes.
He also made reference to Saudi Arabia fighting extremism.
The Kingdom continues to fight extremist thinking, built on hatred, and keeping in check sectarian organisations and terrorist militias that destroy humanity and nations, he said.