Saudi Arabia said on Monday it would restore ties with Iran when Tehran stopped its alleged meddling in the affairs of other countries and pledged that Riyadh would continue to work “very hard” to support bids for peace in Syria and Yemen despite the spat.
Saudi Arabia cut all ties with Iran on Sunday following the kingdom’s execution of prominent Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and the storming of its missions in Iran by angry protesters, Reuters reported.
When asked what it would take for ties to be restored, Saudi UN Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi told reporters, “Very simple—Iran to cease and desist from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, including our own.”
He added, “If they do so, we will of course have normal relations with Iran. We are not natural-born enemies of Iran.”
On Monday, Bahrain and Sudan cut ties with Iran, following Riyadh’s example and the UAE downgraded its diplomatic relations to the level of charge d’affaires.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir also said Riyadh would halt air traffic and commercial relations with Tehran.
