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Iran’s “playing with fire” statement ignores Tehran’s interference in regional affairs – Saudi source | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat – An official Saudi Arabian government source has condemned the “irresponsible” statement issued by the Iranian Shura Council’s National Security and Foreign Policy committee, which accused Saudi Arabia of “playing with fire” and called on Riyadh to withdraw its troops from Bahrain.

In a report published on the Saudi Arabian Press Agency [SPA] website, entitled “official source censures an irresponsible statement issued by the so-called National Security and Foreign Policy [Committee] of Iran’s Shura Council on the Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia” the source said that Tehran’s statement intentionally ignored “the evident Iranian interference in the affairs of the region’s countries, its violation of their sovereignty and independence, and its attempts to incite sedition.” The statement described Iran’s foreign policies as being “hostile” and contravening “international norms and laws.” The source also accused Tehran of interfering in Kuwait, “using a conspiratorial network with links to Iranian official elements.”

The Saudi official statement stressed that Iran has “no right to breach the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain or to interfere in its affairs, or the affairs of any other Gulf State, or to attempt to deprive Bahrain of its legitimate right of seeking the help of the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] Peninsula Shield force.” The statement stressed that this was the right of any GCC state, and that the Peninsula Shield force was in the country to “maintain security and peace, and protect the people of Bahrain and their achievements.”