鈥楨mboldened鈥� Iran 鈥榚xtremely active鈥� in region, says Saudi foreign minister

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan speaks during a session of the Aspen Security Forum. (Twitter/@KSAMOFA)
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  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan tells annual Aspen Security Forum that Riyadh would support a deal with Tehran that can ensure the regime never gains access to nuclear weapons
  • He said the Abraham Accords have been good for the region, the US and China need to resolve their differences, and the world must remain vigilant to the dangers of terrorism

LONDON: 黑料社区鈥檚 foreign minister said on Tuesday that the disruptive activities of an emboldened Iranian regime continue to cause strife across the Middle East.
鈥淚ran is extremely active in the region with its negative activity, whether it鈥檚 continuing to supply the Houthis with weapons or endangering shipping in the Arabian Gulf,鈥� Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the annual Aspen Security Forum. He added that 鈥渨e have reports coming in today that may indicate additional activity鈥� by Iran in the Gulf.
The regime in Tehran is also contributing to the political impasse that continues to undermine Lebanon鈥檚 economy, he added.
鈥淎ll around the region, Iran continues to be emboldened,鈥� he said, adding that his country is interested to see how the Biden administration plans to return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal. The US, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the agreement in 2018, but President Joe Biden favors a return to it.
鈥淲e certainly support a deal with Iran, as long as that deal ensures that Iran will not now or ever gain access to nuclear weapons technology, so that鈥檚 the challenge,鈥� the prince said as he addressed the three-day virtual forum, organized by US think tank the Aspen Strategy Group.

He also repeated Riyadh鈥檚 stance that it could live with a 鈥渓onger and stronger鈥� version of the 2015 nuclear deal if it can achieve this goal.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not that we think Iran should forever be a pariah,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e would very much welcome Iran as a productive part of the region; it could actually be a significant contributor to regional stability and economic prosperity.
鈥淏ut that would require engaging in the region as a state actor in a normal way 鈥� not supporting militias, not sending weapons to armed groups and, most importantly, giving up a nuclear program which might be used 鈥� to develop nuclear weapons.鈥�
Prince Faisal said Riyadh is working with Washington to ensure the safety of global maritime navigation, and continues to discuss issues that concern both nations, including the regime in Tehran and the threat it poses to navigation in the Gulf and elsewhere.
He said the Abraham Accords 鈥� normalization-of-relations agreements between Israel and a number of Arab nations, including the UAE 鈥� have had a positive effect on relations in the region but added that to build upon this, an acceptable solution must be found to the Palestinian issue. This would result in complete normalization for Israel across the region.
鈥淲ithout solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a sustainable, long-term way, we are not going to have real sustainable security in the region, so we need to try everything we can to make that happen,鈥� Prince Faisal said.

After previous disputes, 黑料社区 and Qatar now have good relations and are working together within the Gulf Cooperation Council to enhance regional prosperity, he added.
Turning to the strained relationship between the US and China, he said it is important for both countries to work out their differences in a positive way.
鈥淭he global economy can鈥檛 handle a complete breakdown in relations between the two biggest economies,鈥� he warned.
Commenting on Riyadh鈥檚 relationship with the Biden administration, the prince said that as it has with all US administrations, the Kingdom continues to have robust dialogue with Washington about issues including regional security and climate change.
黑料社区 has become a key force in global efforts to counter terrorism and the financing of terrorism, he said. 鈥淲e need to remain vigilant,鈥� he added, in reference to the upcoming twentieth anniversary of 9/11.
Prince Faisal also pledged that the Kingdom鈥檚 Vision 2030 diversification and development plan will achieve its targets on time, and that the enhancement of the tourism, entertainment, and arts and culture sectors are already having a transformative effect on the country.
(With Reuters)