The United Nations Secretary General described Iran as an important country in the region whose restoration of diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia could be a first step in promoting constructive relations across the entire Middle East.
Antonio Guterres made the remarks in a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday, where they discussed a range of topics, including regional and international developments.
The Iranian minister thanked the secretary general for his support of regional dialogue.
“We welcome your initiative on a meeting of regional countries,” he said, the foreign ministry’s website reported.
Iran and Saudi Arabia normalized relations after seven years of estrangement following an agreement by their top national security officials in Beijing with Chinese mediation in March.
The two countries have reopened embassies and reinstated the work of diplomatic missions.
The development was welcomed by the international community who considered it helpful for de-escalation of tensions in the region.
Along the same line, Iran and Egypt have shown signs of interest in reconciliation, marked by a meeting between the two sides’ officials in Baghdad, Iraq, earlier this year.
The two officials also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and the recent summit held in Qatari capital Doha at the secretary general’s initiative, which was attended by Iran.
Amir-Abdollahian said the meeting was “positive”, but called for more international support regarding up to five million Afghan refugees in Iran.
“Management of this huge number of immigrants requires international attention and support,” he said.
Guterres appreciated Iran’s hosting of Afghan displaced people and reaffirmed the need for international support of the Islamic Republic in this regard.
He said all attendant in the conference had unified stances on the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan and support for the country’s economy, as well as counterterrorism and anti-drug efforts and Afghan women’s right to education and work.
Afghanistan was taken over the Taliban once again in 2021, when the United States and allied forces irresponsibly quit the country after 20 years.
Iran has since emphasized the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan participated by all ethnic and religious groups.
Right Track
During the conversation, Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran’s opposition to the Russia-Ukraine war, hoping that the two side would return to the course of dialogue, so that the conflict would end and peace would be restored.
Hoping for an early settlement of the conflict, the UN chief praised the peace initiatives introduced by some African countries that could contribute to a solution to the war, and the recently extended grain deal that will prevent a global food crisis.
Western countries have accused Iran of supplying arms to Russia for its war in Ukraine, although Iranian officials strongly dismiss such claims, saying the Islamic republic supports neither warring side.
The two officials also discussed the latest status of Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Amir-Abdollahian said the cooperation is “on the right track”.
As a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and its safeguards agreement, Iran has nuclear commitments that are overseen by the IAEA.
The agency was also in charge of monitoring the Islamic Republic’s compliance with the obligations of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Iran, however, has been scaling down those commitments in response to the US withdrawal from the deal and reimposition of tough sanctions.
Following reports showing safeguards ambiguities in Iran’s nuclear activities, the director general visited Tehran in March and reached an agreement on clearing the misunderstandings.
The two sides are positively cooperating based on that roadmap, according to Iranian officials.
Guterres and Amir-Abdollahian also discussed the situation in Yemen and Syria, as well as talks on the revival of the JCPOA that have been stalled for nearly a year.
