Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stressed on Tuesday that the Kingdom was keen on ending the war in Yemen.
To that end, it had presented earlier this year a strategic initiative to end the conflict, he said during a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna.
The Iran-backed Houthis militias, however, have met the initiative with escalation and they launched an offensive of the Marib province, added the FM who is on an official visit to Austria.
Turning to Iran, he said it is responsible for its nuclear activities, noting that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a decisive role in the file.
He called for supporting the agency in its inspections of Iranian nuclear sites to ensure that its program serves peaceful purposes, describing, however, Tehran’s lack of cooperation with the IAEA as “worrying”.
Iran must be held to account for failing to meet its nuclear commitments to the agency in line with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that it is a party to, he added.
Prince Faisal revealed that he discussed with Austrian officials Iran’s interference in the region, remarking that the Kingdom and Vienna share a common view about stability in the region.
He underscored Saudi Arabia’s firm stance that aims to achieve security, stability and prosperity in the region and world, noting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in bolstering the concept of peace, coexistence and sustainable development.
Asked about Riyadh’s position on the new Israeli government, Prince Faisal responded: “We do not have ties with Israel so the government change does not affect us.”
For his part, Schallenberg stressed that the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia were unacceptable, urging the need for the militias to return to the dialogue table.
Saudi Arabia is playing a pivotal role in the region, he added, remarking that it is Austria’s greatest partner in the Middle East.
During his visit to Vienna, Prince Faisal held talks with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi on Iran’s nuclear program and the importance of inspecting all of its nuclear sites.
The FM also stressed the need for Iran to cease its violations of international laws and to end its destabilizing policies in the region and world.
