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However, Riyadh insists it cannot normalize relations with the Jewish state as long as the Palestinian issue has not been resolved. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said if the issue was resolved it would result in complete normalization for Israel in the entire region.
Also read: Prince of Saudi Arabia: Iran is getting bolder in Middle East
“Without resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a sustainable manner, in the long term, we will not have real sustainable security in the region, so we need to try everything we can to make that happen,” Prince Faisal was quoted as saying. Reuters, Wednesday (4/8/2021).
There are four Arab countries that will normalize diplomatic relations with Israel throughout 2020, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
Previously, Prince Faisal commented on Iran’s actions which he said were getting bolder in the Middle East region. “Across the region, Iran continues to be bold,” he said.
The Saudi diplomat’s comments referred to reports that Iranian-backed forces are believed to have seized an oil tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
“Iran is very active in the region with its negative activities, whether it is continuing to supply weapons to the Houthis or jeopardizing shipping in the Arabian Gulf, which we received reports today that may indicate additional activity there,” he said.
Iran, he added, has supported the political impasse that has damaged the Lebanese economy.
Also read: Israel Threatens to Attack Iran Alone
Speaking at a virtual meeting of the Aspen Security Forum, he also reiterated Riyadh’s stance that it can live with a “longer and stronger” version of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with world powers if it ensures Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons know-how.
“We certainly support the deal with Iran as long as it ensures that Iran now or never gets access to nuclear weapons technology,” he said, saying Riyadh would welcome Iran contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
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