Iran-(P)GCC Dialogue Benefits Region

A high-ranking Kuwaiti official said dialogue between Iran and the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council would be in the interest of both Iran and the six-member council, which will help ease tensions in the region.

Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah made the statement on Tuesday, reacting to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who said in an interview with Tehran-based newspaper Ettelaat published on the same day that Tehran was ready for dialogue with the council over conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

"We welcome this statement and this is indeed what we are looking for," Jarallah told reporters on the sidelines of a reception held by the Iranian Embassy on the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Kuwait News Agency reported.

"This dialogue will actively contribute to defusing spots of tension in the region whether in Yemen or Syria, or any other place in our region."

Late last month, a message was delivered to Tehran by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Al-Khalid Al-Sabah on behalf of the (P)GCC.

Zarif also told Ettelaat that "unwise" Saudi policies in the region and its warmongering are endangering regional security.

He hoped that Riyadh will reach the conclusion that "provoking violence and extremism is not to their benefit" and the (P)GCC's  message will be followed with a "firm will" for cooperation.

Iran and several Persian Gulf Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, are at odds over several issues, notably in Syria, where Saudi Arabia and Qatar are arming militants to bring down the Syrian government while Iran provides advisory services to Syrian troops.

The Saudi-led military campaign in the poorest Arab country, Yemen, has also contributed to the deterioration of relations.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran early 2016, using as an excuse attacks on its diplomatic missions in Iran by protesters angered over the Saudi execution of top Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr without due process of law.