Riyadh Dismayed at Own Failures in Mideast, Seeking Cover-up: Iran

“Saudi Arabia’s first problem is its failures in the [Middle East] region, and that it wants to cover up these failures,” Rouhani said on Tuesday.

“Saudi Arabia was unsuccessful in Qatar, Iraq, Syria, and recently in Lebanon,” said Rouhani in a televised interview broadcast on state TV.

According to a Farsi report by Fars News Agency, he added that Saudi Arabia is grappling with domestic problems as well.

“Secondly, it is the country’s local problems. Saudi Arabia has acute domestic issues. We are witnessing divisions inside the country. They (Saudi rulers) want to single out a country as their enemy in order to cover up their failures and domestic issues,” said the president.

He also underlined that problems should be tackled tactfully.

“We should weather the problems skillfully. Of course, our country is in our own hands. But what is happening in other countries, and what government comes to power, and what experience it has, and who will be the head of state in the US in the future are not under our control,” President Rouhani noted.

He then underlined that Iran should take its national interests into consideration under any circumstances.

“We should remain on the watch and prepares ourselves,” he said.

President Rouhani then touched upon military might and diplomacy as the two elements required to counter possible threats, saying, “These two wings are necessary for us.”

He underlined that his administration seeks to boost both aspects.