TEHRAN – Iran has once again reiterated strong opposition to the continued Saudi attacks on Yemen, saying that the Riyadh regime should “act with discretion” and put an end to the war.

“We believe that Saudi Arabia’s resort to force for the resolution of regional problems, particularly Yemen’s problem, is a strategic mistake,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in an interview with Al Alam Arabic language news network on Sunday, as quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

“The main point is that Saudi Arabia should act with discretion, [end] the war and halt the massacre of people in the region, particularly women and children in Yemen,” he stated.

Riyadh should end the inhumane blockade on the Arabian Peninsula nation and adopt a political approach toward all regional crises, the senior diplomat added.

------- Tehran-Riyadh ties

Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir Abdollahian touched upon bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, saying that although Tehran does not agree with Riyadh’s policies, it believes that bilateral relations should be normalized.

He said Tehran-Riyadh relations should return to the normal level, IRNA reported, adding that making good relations with the neighboring countries is a top priority for Iran.

He said that talking on regional issues was not on the agenda of negotiations between Iran and 5+1 group because regional issues should only be resolved through collective cooperation among regional states.

“Iran and Saudi Arabia have potentialities and can settle mutual problems in addition to regional crises and woes through constructive cooperation and interaction,” he pointed out, as quoted by Press TV.

Iran has received positive signs from Saudi officials on the resumption of “explicit, constructive and effective” dialog between Tehran and Riyadh on ways to fight extremism and terrorism and establish stability in the region, the Iranian official noted.

If Saudi Arabia adopts a practical attitude and plays a constructive role, Iran will give a constructive response, he said.

More than four months of Saudi air raids have caused severe shortages in basic necessities in Yemen.

According to the United Nations, the conflict in the impoverished country has killed nearly 4,000 people, about half of them civilians, since late March, while 80 percent of the country’s population needs aid and protection.

Many international aid organizations are seeking a safe passage into Yemen to send much-needed medical and humanitarian supplies to the country.

-------- NO joint work with U.S. in ISIL fight

Amir-Abdollahian also ruled out any joint cooperation with the United States to fight against ISIL terrorists.

“We have no plans for joint work with the U.S. [in the battle] against Daesh [an Arabic acronym for ISIL], but we will continue our help and consultations at the request of the Iraqi and Syrian governments.”

He added that Iran was among the first countries to help Iraq and Syria fight terrorism and the ISIL groups.

The Iranian official reaffirmed that the Islamic Republic will continue its support for the regional countries endangered by terror threats in a bid to help them fight terrorism.

He said Washington has also announced plans to fight ISIL terrorists, but it is pursuing double standards.

Iran has repeatedly stressed that it will not interfere militarily in Iraq and Syria, but that it will continue to provide support for both countries against the ISIL in the form of defense consultations and humanitarian aid.

MD/OS