A Saudi official underlined the need to hold Iran accountable over its last decision to resume uranium enrichment, a reference to its violation of the Iranian nuclear agreement signed in 2015.
In comments to reporters in Washington on Friday, the Saudi official said, on condition of anonymity, that his country supported the agreement aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons on the grounds that the inspection of Iran’s nuclear facilities would be comprehensive.
“But it turned out that the agreement does not prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons after several years,” he noted, adding: “The inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency does not cover all sites and I think that the countries of the world must take decisive steps.”
The Saudi official reiterated his country’s support for US sanctions on Iran to push for a new agreement, criticizing some countries’ belief that Tehran could change its behavior.
On whether Riyadh was satisfied with the US steps following the attacks on Aramco, he said: “Today, the international community is united against Iran… Investigations into the attacks on Aramco are still ongoing and the United States has strengthened its military presence in the region, sent soldiers and reinforced its defenses.”
“Those are positive steps and ongoing efforts,” he remarked.
The Saudi official hinted that Qatar has taken some encouraging positive steps towards resolving tension with the Gulf States but emphasized the need to do more. He pointed to Qatar’s adoption of a law to combat the financing of terrorism but called for further steps to halt the support of extremists and end friendly relations with Iran.
