China’s Approach to Tehran-Riyadh Dispute Positive

The Iranian Embassy in Beijing said Iran welcomes China’s support for any effort to ease Tehran-Riyadh tensions, noting that the issue is complicated.

The remark was made in a statement released on Friday, after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ahead of a visit by Saudi king to China, voiced hopes that both countries can resolve their conflicts through dialogue.

Describing China’s stance as a goodwill move, it said, “Disputes between Iran and Saudi Arabia basically concern a contradiction of views and measures, and also their declared and adopted policies,” ISNA reported.

Bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic and the Arab kingdom were strained after the new Saudi king came to power in 2015 and Riyadh adopted an aggressive approach toward Tehran.

Tensions have escalated over the past few years due to a number of events, such as a deadly human crush during the hajj pilgrimage in 2015 which Iran blamed on Saudi mismanagement and the execution of a prominent Shia cleric early last year, which led to attacks by angry protestors on Saudi missions in Iran and provided Riyadh with an excuse to break off diplomatic ties.

The statement also criticized Saudi Arabia for “interfering in the neighboring countries’ affairs” and its “negative role in regional volatility, through incessant assaults on Yemeni people”.

“Such violations have turned Saudi Arabia into a destabilizing element in the region, which does not conform to the established global norms,” it said.

“But we live in a world where the integrity and stability of countries are all intertwined and no country is allowed to employ its unilateral and sometimes aggressive strategies in crisis-hit areas.”

In January, President Hassan Rouhani pointed out that “at least 10 countries have offered to mediate in the escalating feud between Saudi Arabia and Iran.”

Rouhani noted that Tehran would restore ties with Riyadh, if Saudi Arabia changed its regional policies.

However, the Saudi ambassador in China gave a different response to Wang’s remarks and rejected any mediatory effort.

“I am doubtful that China’s mediation for Iran talks will be raised during the king’s visit,” he was reported as saying by ISNA.