Amir Abdollahian: Saudi Arabia is not yet ready to return to normal relations/we are ready to send fuel to Lebanon

According to the reporter of Fars News Agency’s foreign policy group, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said today (Friday) in Beirut in a press conference attended by Lebanese media about Iran-Saudi Arabia negotiations: We have had 5 rounds of important negotiations with Saudi Arabia in Baghdad so far. Saudi Foreign Minister, we agree that these talks should continue. In the first step, the consulates of the two countries in Jeddah and Mashhad should be reopened to provide the necessary consular facilities to the nationals of the two countries and those who are interested in pilgrimages to Mecca, Medina, and Mashhad and other pilgrimage sites in Iran.

At the same time, Amir Abdollahian reminded: Of course, we think that the Saudi side is not yet ready for the return of relations to a normal state. We have the necessary intention and will to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. If such an intention is seen in the real sense on the Saudi side, the return of relations to a normal state will be quick and achievable.

The head of the diplomatic service also said that our talks in Baghdad are evaluated positively.

* Resistance is at its best

According to Fars, in response to a reporter’s question about his meeting with Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Ziad Nakhale, the Secretary General of the Islamic Jihad Movement, during his trip to Beirut and the challenges that the Zionist regime creates on the path of the resistance front, he also stated: In my meeting We talked with Mr. Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah about various issues, including the Palestinian issue. What I received from the words of the Secretary General of Hezbollah and also Mr. Ziad Nakhale, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, I want to announce loudly here today that the resistance, the Lebanese resistance and the Palestinian resistance are in their best condition thanks to the grace of God.

The Foreign Minister continued: Without a doubt, the Zionist regime is in its worst situation. Multi-layered security, political and social crises are facing the fake Israeli regime. Netanyahu’s screams are due to fear, worry and multi-layered crises in the occupied territories.

* Their main goal was to weaken the Islamic Republic of Iran and one of their goals was to score points in the nuclear negotiations

In this press conference, this high-ranking Iranian diplomat, in response to a question about the recent disturbances in Iran, noted: Regarding foreign provocations and interventions and the recent disturbances in Iran, which we passed well, there is an important point, the United States and several European countries with The aim of weakening the Islamic Republic of Iran was to use the death of an Iranian girl as an excuse, while these countries and the claimants did not react to the open murder of “Shirin Abu Aqleh”, a Christian female journalist, by the Zionist regime.

Amir Abdollahian continued: Their main goal was to weaken the Islamic Republic of Iran, and one of their goals was to gain concessions in the nuclear negotiations. The vigilance of the Iranian people prevented these countries from weakening the Islamic Republic of Iran. We also did not cross our principles and red lines and we have stuck to our principles in nuclear talks. We consider negotiation and diplomacy to be a good way to reach an agreement. In this direction, our red line is to fully respect the national interests and rights of the Iranian people.

* We agree on continuing the talks with Saudi Arabia in a third country

He also said in response to another question: In the short talks we had with my colleague, the Saudi Foreign Minister in Jordan, we emphasized that the return of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia to normal will have a positive impact on the region in addition to the two countries. We agree on continuing the talks in the third country.

* We will continue our strong support to Lebanon in all fields

The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran also said about the appointment of the president in Lebanon: We are confident that the appointment of the president in Lebanon will be done through the dialogues of different political currents without any foreign interference. The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its strong support to Lebanon in all fields. We also emphasize economic and trade cooperation to strengthen Lebanon’s foundation and to develop relations.

Amir Abdollahian continued: We had constructive and useful discussions with the Lebanese authorities regarding the latest status of talks between the Islamic Republic of Iran to cancel sanctions and regional issues including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Ukraine, Syria and Palestine.

* Preparing to supply energy and fuel to Lebanon/ concluding a contract to build two 1,000 megawatt power plants

In response to Al-Manar reporter’s question about the cooperation between Iran and Lebanon in the issue of fuel and electricity supply, the head of the diplomatic service said: We are paying attention to the fuel problem in Lebanon. During my previous trip to Lebanon, we discussed with the Lebanese authorities in this regard and announced our readiness in this regard. The technical delegation traveled from Lebanon to Tehran and discussed the details of the agreement.

He added: We are still ready to continue supporting Lebanon in two ways in the field of energy. Helping to supply energy and fuel in Lebanon through the agreement between the two governments, as well as concluding a contract with the Lebanese government to establish two 1,000 megawatt power plants in Beirut and southern Lebanon.

* The final phase of the 3,000 MW Basra power plant will be launched soon

Amir Abdullahian also said: We are happy that we are now exporting more than 2,000 megawatts of electricity to our neighboring Iraq. Soon, the final phase of the 3,000 megawatt Basra power plant in southern Iraq will be launched by Iranian experts, and we are ready to repeat this experience in Lebanon.

He also said: Whenever the relevant Lebanese authorities announce their readiness regarding the receipt of fuel and cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy, we are ready to send fuel to Lebanon.

* Security talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia

According to Fars, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran also responded to a journalist’s question about Saudi involvement in the recent disturbances in Iran and its effect on the talks between the two countries to resume relations, stating: In addition to the talks held in Baghdad between Iran and Saudi Arabia We also held security talks in parallel, and such issues are followed up in the framework of security talks.

* Signing the minutes of a meeting for the export of Iranian gas to a European country

In response to a question, Amir Abdollahian called the US sanctions illegal and unilateral and added: In the same situation, I mentioned that we export electricity and gas to Iraq and we also export gas to some other countries. Minutes of a meeting for the export of Iranian gas to a European country have also been signed between us. Countries like Iraq were able to exempt themselves from unilateral and illegal US sanctions. Of course, it is natural that America will not be happy with the strengthening and deepening of Iran-Lebanon relations.

He stated: We will continue our economic and commercial cooperation with Lebanon in various fields, including energy, and we will be by Lebanon’s side in difficult times.

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