Zarif calls for talks with Saudi Arabia

Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, speaking to Arab reporters Oct. 14 in Tehran, called for talks with Saudi Arabia, Iran’s regional rival. Zarif has been on a lobbying offensive to start the process of addressing many of the differences between the two countries, especially regarding Yemen and Syria, where civil wars show no signs of abating.

Speaking to Majid al-Ali, editor of the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai, and other Arab journalists, Zarif, in response to the question “What does Iran want from the Arabs?” said, “We are after advancing friendly relations with our Saudi Arabian friends.”