Description:
In a recent political talk show on RT Arabic, Iran & Saudi-based analysts discussed the ongoing talks between Tehran and Riyadh to resume diplomatic relations.
Even though the Iran-based analyst Amhaz Hakam asserted that diplomatic ties between the two regional powerhouses would resume within weeks, that did not stop a clash of words from ensuing between Amhaz and the Saudi-based Ahmed al-Shehri, reflecting the deep divide that persists between Tehran and Riyadh today.
The following is a transcript of that exchange.
Source: RT Arabic (YouTube)
Date: October 9, 2021
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Transcript:
Host:
Dr Hakam, I would like to ask about the interests of both sides in normalising relations. Starting with the Iranian interests – our guest referred to the deteriorating economic situation and (its impact on) the situation of Iranian citizens today under the (economic) siege and economic downturn. Doesn’t Iran today, more than ever, need to normalise relations with its neighbours and with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular?
Dr Hakam Amhaz, expert in Iranian and Middle Eastern Affairs:
There is a very significant point, (I’d like to comment on what) you asked our guest (Dr al-Shehri) – your guest – as to what would happen if there were no clear results from the (Iranian-Saudi) negotiations. I’ll give you some information which Dr al-Shehri seems not to have.
Firstly, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, there is a Saudi delegation in Tehran right now, and it is following up on the issue of opening the (Saudi) embassy in the Islamic Republic of Iran. As for the size of the diplomatic representation, what will it be, will it be at the level of an ambassador or at the level of charge d’affaires, this matter is being discussed, but let’s say that the first step has been taken.
As for the second step, the negotiations are ongoing, and there (has been a) change in the (makeup of the) Iranian negotiating delegation, let’s say that the Saudi delegation is a security delegation, and therefore the Iranian negotiators are from the National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran. So, we cannot say that no progress has occurred.
I have indicated in my recent media interviews that within two months maximum, (mutual) diplomatic representation between the two sides will have begun, unless an unexpected issue takes place.
Host:
This point is clear (now), we’ll wait and see (the results). Dr Hakam, in one minute, what (would you say is) the Iranian interest in promoting these relations?
Amhaz:
The Iranian interest, naturally, (well these negotiations) are in the interest of the peoples (of the region) first and foremost, and not in the interest of Iran (alone), it’s in the interests of all the (regional) peoples.
As for the (interests) at the level of the Islamic Republic of Iran, supposedly agreements between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran took place, how would this affect the economy of Iran if the US sanctions were (still active)? Will Saudi Arabia be able to solve (existing) problems and convince the Americans to lift the sanctions on Iran?
Naturally, Iran overcame many of the sanctions imposed on it, and it is gradually freeing itself from these sanctions, but the process of having a consensus (reached between Iran and Saudi Arabia), this is a very good thing at the economic, social, political, and security levels, and at the level of all the countries in the (West Asian) region as well. However, there must be true intentions and independent and sovereign decisions between countries for things (negotiations) to reach results.
Host:
Dr Ahmad, what about the stance –
Amhaz:
– but if we cannot bypass the US and their decisions, I don’t believe that this matter (negotiations) will lead to a (positive) outcome.
Host:
(What about) the situation in the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia), Dr Ahmad, and the change in the Saudi hardline stance towards Iran? What prompted it, at this stage, to open up to negotiations and to the possibility of opening a new page or (seek) to resolve outstanding issues? Some believe that there is Saudi hope (in the) Iranian role regarding the Yemeni issue that has been pending for years, and which the Arab coalition did not achieve the (outcome) it initially sought?
Dr Ahmed Al-Shehri, head of the Saudi Experience Forum:
Actually, regarding the Yemeni issue, you know, my honoured sister, that Saudi Arabia is not at war with Yemen, but is in an Arab coalition; therefore, the brothers in Yemen may resolve their crisis whenever they wish to, and Saudi Arabia calls for resolving this crisis and had presented the Saudi initiative for resolving the crisis, which was accepted by the US representative, but the Houthi coup militia is the one refusing (to accept the Saudi initiative), and this indicates that it is just a tool that derives its command from abroad.
Therefore, it is as if Iran is the one running this militia based on an abhorrent sectarian approach, just like what’s happening now in Lebanon – which is now below the poverty line – and in Syria and Iraq as well, as a result of this sectarian approach which actually just leads to the destruction of peoples. As for your question –
Amhaz:
– hold on!
Host:
I’ll give you a chance to talk Dr Hakam…
Amhaz:
This (terrible regional situation is) because of you (Saudis) and because of the United States.
Shehri:
What led Saudi Arabia to take such a step (i.e. hold negotiations with Iran) –
Host:
I do not allow this interruption, Dr Hakam.
Amhaz:
This is not acceptable at all!
Shehri:
I say that –
Host:
Dr Hakam, I’ll give you a chance to talk.
Shehri:
– that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia –
Amhaz:
This is not acceptable; this is misleading public opinion.
Shehri:
– is striving to –
Amhaz:
An obvious misleading of public opinion.
Shehri:
No, Dr Hakam, this is not misleading (public opinion), allow me to (continue), God bless you, I’m saying that Saudi Arabia, within the framework of –
Amhaz:
– by God this is misleading (public opinion, you’re) misleading public opinion.
Shehri:
– its (seeking a) renaissance for the Arab world, and as His Highness the Crown Prince said –
Host:
Dr Hakam, excuse me, I don’t allow this.
Shehri:
(Saudi Arabia) strives for the Middle East to be the new Europe…
Host:
Two minutes (of talk time) for our guest is not misleading public opinion, please.
Shehri:
Saudi Arabia always strives (to make) the Middle East an oasis of security. In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (King Salman) said that (Saudi Arabia) calls on Iran to engage in the peace process and (we aspire) for the Middle East to be free of all kinds of weapons of mass destruction, in order to have a safe and sound Middle East. Therefore, Saudi Arabia strives to have a Middle East that is free from problems, tensions, and conflicts, and that’s the policy Saudi Arabia seeks to implement.
Host:
As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia says, the required (factor for the success of the negotiations) is the strengthening of confidence between the two sides in the first place. What are the required (measures) today for the strengthening of confidence? Briefly, Dr Hakam, what (do you think) is the message that (one understands) from the British and American expression of support for these negotiations?
Amhaz:
Briefly, I wish that Saudi Arabia would declare openly and clearly that the Middle East must be free of nuclear weapons and specifically name the Israelis, I challenge (it) to name the Israelis, this is first.
As for the US and British stance of welcoming the Saudi-Iranian negotiations, I believe that it is nothing more than a tactic, as the US and British interests are the ones prevailing in the (Middle Eastern) region, and they are besieging these countries (Lebanon, Syria and Iraq); when he (Dr al-Shehri) speaks about the hunger (caused by the crises) in Lebanon and the (imposed economic) siege on Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, who is doing this siege? Are the Lebanese, Syrian or Iraqi peoples besieging themselves?
Shehri:
The Iranian weapons of Hezbollah (is what destroyed these countries) –
Amhaz:
Or is it not the US that destroyed the economies of all these countries?
Shehri:
(It’s) Hezbollah (who’s) taking over power, Dr Hakam.
Amhaz:
Brother, you (Saudis) destroyed (the lives of) and massacred (people against the region)!
Shehri:
Hezbollah is taking over the power (of the state) in Lebanon.
Amhaz:
Hezbollah is more honourable than – the shoes of the (resistance) fighters of Hezbollah are more honourable than many heads (of states) in this region.
Shehri:
(Hezbollah) destroyed the Lebanese people Mr Hakam.
Amhaz:
The shoes of Hezbollah’s men are more honourable than many heads (of states) in this region.
Shehri:
(Hezbollah) destroyed Lebanon through the Iranian intervention (in Lebanon) and the (military) intervention in Syria.
Amhaz:
Because (Hezbollah fighters) freed this area (Lebanon) from the Israeli (occupation).
Host:
I will end (the discussion) here as we reached the end of our episode, and (I’ll move to) displaying the results of the voting on our Twitter page.
‘In your opinion, will the exploratory talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran lead to the resumption of relations between the two countries?’
The majority say (voted) yes with 52%, while 47% say no. This question is up until tomorrow on our website.
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