Arab League condemns Iranian ‘meddling’ in Arab affairs

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi accused Tehran of “provocative acts” as top Arab diplomats met for talks on Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic row with Iran.

Arab foreign ministers, with the exception of Lebanon, condemned in a Sunday statement what they called Iran’s meddling in Arab affairs.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said cutting commercial and diplomatic ties was a first step, and that his country would discuss potential further actions against Iran with its regional and worldwide allies. Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran and its mission in Mashhad, Iran’s second city, were attacked by mobs and set on fire after the killing.

Drawing upon the companionship of some Arab states in severing or downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran, he said that some states are trying to solve their economic problems by Saudi petro-dollars or they share political interests with Riyadh.

“Saudi remains to be a strong and special ally of Pakistan with their long historical relations, however the geopolitical developments in recent times have given new elements that made Pakistan counter-balance its relations with Saudi Arabia”, said Giorgio Cafiero, chief executive officer and founder of Washington-based firm Gulf State Analytics.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia if any threat arises to its territorial integrity.

Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif announced that Saudi Arabia tries to defeat Iran nuclear deal and drag the entire region into confrontation.

The deputy crown prince’s visit to Islamabad was in response to an invitation from the Pakistan government and according to the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

Jubeir said some countries had offered to mediate but that required Iran to be serious about the efforts.

The crisis also threatens a fragile UN-backed initiative to end the war in Yemen, where Houthi rebels have control of large parts of the country.

He asserted that the country tries to impose unilateral policies and tensions against nations and Muslim countries.

The council, which includes Arab League members Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, criticized what it described as Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Saudi Arabia and the region.

Cavusoglu said they discus every issue open heart with “our Iranian friends” and that Turkey encouraged them “to follow more constructive policies”, in regional issues, especially Syria.