Saudi Crown Prince Asks Iraq to Mediate between Tehran, Riyadh

Speaking after a meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran on Sunday, al-Araji referred to his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with bin Salman, and said, “He officially asked for Iraq’s mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia to ease tensions.”

“Saudi King Salman had earlier made the same request, but I told them you should show the best behavior towards Iranian pilgrims and allow them to visit Jannat al-Baqi‘ cemetery,” he noted, according to a Farsi report by ISNA.

“The Saudi side has made certain promises in this regard, and the doors to the cemetery are already open to Iranian pilgrims,” al-Araji said, adding that Tehran-Riyadh friendly relations will help ensure regional security.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, for his part, highlighted the importance of respecting and maintaining the dignity of Iranian Hajj pilgrims, saying Tehran has always sought cordial relations with Saudi Arabia.

“Iran’s policy is to have effective cooperation with regional states, and Tehran has never been the first to sever its relations with others,” he added.

He also expressed the hope that regional countries would join hands and seek to resolve the problems of Muslims while enjoying their people’s support and avoiding the real enemies of Islam.