ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday welcomed a Saudi “initiative” for peace with Iran, saying it would strengthen the Muslim world.
While reiterating that Riyadh had a problem with Iran’s “negative behavior”, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an interview aired late on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia wanted a good relationship with Iran.
“We do not want for Iran to be in a difficult situation, on the contrary we want Iran to prosper and grow. We have interests in Iran and they have interests in the Kingdom to propel the region and the world to growth and prosperity,” he said.
In a tweet, PM Khan responded to the crown prince’s comments saying:
“We welcome the KSA [kingdom of Saudi Arabia] initiative for peace with Iran. Iran is our neighbor and KSA our closest friend. This peace initiative will strengthen the Muslim Ummah.”
We welcome the KSA initiative for peace with Iran. Iran is our neighbour and KSA our closest friend. This peace initiative will strengthen the Muslim Ummah. https://t.co/LXj0pRiYFp
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 28, 2021
Saudi and Iranian officials held direct talks this month, six years after cutting diplomatic ties, about Yemen and the 2015 nuclear accord between global powers and Iran, which Riyadh opposed for not tackling Tehran’s missile program and regional proxies.