Tehran: The Special Assistant to the Speaker of Parliament for International Affairs, Abolfazl Amouei, said that developing economic cooperation is one of the fundamental requirements for establishing strategic relations between Tehran and Riyadh. The formation of sustainable economic ties will guarantee the strengthening of cooperation in other fields, Amouei said in a meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Iran Abdullah bin Saud Al-Anzi on Tuesday. Iran welcomes the progress in bilateral relations, especially in parliamentary, political, security, and regional interactions, he added.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, developing all-out ties can play an important role in strengthening peace, stability, and lasting security in the Persian Gulf region and advancing the objectives of the Islamic Ummah, he stated. The Iranian lawmaker emphasized the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in developing Tehran-Riyadh relations. The Iranian Parliament is ready, within the framework of parliamentary interactions, to facilitate the exchange of views and transfer of experiences between the two countries, especially by activating parliamentary friendship groups and strengthening communication between specialized committees, Amouei said.
He appreciated Saudi Arabia's positions regarding the Israeli regime's aggression, supported by the United States, against Iran and recent regional developments. The expansionist ambitions of the Israeli regime pose a common threat to the security of all countries in the region, and confronting this approach requires convergence, dialogue, and collective cooperation among regional countries, he stressed. The actions of the Israeli regime to weaken, destabilize, and even fragment countries in the region - from Palestine and Lebanon to Yemen and some African countries, including Somalia - are a clear reality that cannot be ignored, he said.
Meanwhile, Al-Anzi said that Iran-Saudi Arabia relations have entered a new phase, and the two countries' leaders are steadfast in developing cooperation at all levels. Riyadh believes that continuous interaction between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as two important and influential countries in the region, can play a significant role in strengthening regional security and stability, he added. He highlighted the role of parliaments in strengthening bilateral cooperation and deepening mutual trust.
Riyadh welcomes developing parliamentary relations and supports the exchange of parliamentary delegations at various levels, especially in the form of friendship groups and specialized committees. The policies of the Israeli regime are the main factor exacerbating tensions and sowing discord among Islamic countries, he stressed. Emphasizing the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran as an influential and powerful country in regional equations, he said cooperation and synergy among regional countries and the Islamic world can pave the way for strengthening peace, stability, and lasting security in West Asia and provide effective confrontation against destabilizing policies.