Saudis Behind Chaotic Situation in Middle East

Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed the recent allegations leveled by Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman against Tehran, saying Riyadh's support for terrorists is the source of chaos in the Middle East.

"Saudi Arabia has created chaos in the region through its organized support for takfiri and terrorist groups," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Saturday, Press TV reported.

Takfiris are hardliners who accuse any Muslim who does not follow their extreme interpretation of Islam of apostasy punishable by death.

He emphasized the need for Saudi Arabia to rectify its approaches for the sake of global peace and tranquility, and said takfiri terrorism is undoubtedly rooted in the radical ideology of Wahhabism, which is practiced and promoted worldwide by the kingdom.

  Traitor to Muslim World

The Iranian spokesman noted that Saudi Arabia is regarded as the "cause of bloody crimes against the Arab nations of Syria, Iraq and Yemen" while it has also "committed treason against Muslims, particularly the Arab world and the cause of the Palestinian people" by siding with the Israeli regime.

Qasemi said numerous reports by western intelligence agencies have "repeatedly confirmed that there is a meaningful and organized connection between Saudi state bodies and takfiri extremists across the world."

He dismissed as blame game the recent anti-Iran allegations made by Prince Mohammed, who is also the Saudi defense minister.

"Instead of such fruitless blame game, Saudi statesmen should better rectify their approach and attitude, and think about the consequences of their destructive policies and measures," he said.

In an interview with the American magazine Foreign Affairs published on Thursday, Prince Mohammed, whose country is widely believed to be among major sponsors of terrorism, accused Iran of creating instability, encouraging terrorism and violating the sovereignty of other nations in the region.

He also called on Iran to change its outlook and behavior.

The remarks by the Saudi official come as Riyadh is engaged in a military campaign against its impoverished southern neighbor Yemen since March 2015. The Saudi war on Yemen has so far killed at least 11,400 Yemenis and taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure.