Tehran-Riyadh Differences Not Religious: Iranian Spokesman

“Undoubtedly, the tensions between the two countries [Iran and Saudi Arabia] don’t have religious roots since we believe that unity in the Muslim world is basic and therefore, we respect all religions and cults and some small differences provide no good reasons for going towards violence,” Bahram Qassemi said in an interview with Kuwait’s al-Jaridah newspaper on Monday.

Stressing that the root cause of the differences between Tehran and Riyadh should be found, he said, “The Zionist regime [Israel] is earning the most from the current conflicts between Iran and Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran on January 3 following demonstrations held in front of its embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad by angry protesters censuring the Al Saud family for the execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in Riyadh on January 2.

Nimr’s execution caused international outrage and sparked anti-Saudi demonstrations in many other countries.

Riyadh has been attempting to rock the boat in relations between Iran and other world states and has spared no efforts to pressure Tehran.

Back in April, Ground Force Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said Saudi Arabia is masterminding terrorist attacks on the Islamic Republic by training and funding terrorist groups along the borders.

Pakpour said Iran has arrested terrorists that have confessed to their affiliation to Saudi Arabia and some other Persian Gulf Arab states.

Pakpour said Riyadh is striving hard to make Iran insecure, and added, “Right now, countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are engaged in organizing and equipping these groups but the reason why no terrorist act is committed is due to our preparedness.”