In an interview with the Tasnim News Agency on Tuesday, Aboud hailed as “long-standing and historical” the relations between Tehran and Damascus, saying the Islamic Republic never abandons its allies.
He also praised Iran for maintaining good relations even with the groups it may not share common religious views, and referred to the ties between Tehran and the Palestinian leaders as an example.
The top Syrian lawmaker then pointed to Saudi Arabia’s tendency to mend ties with Iran, saying such enthusiasm shown by Riyadh is a result of the failure of the kingdom’s plans across the region.
“Saudi Arabia has witnessed failure in all countries, from Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon to Bahrain… Even Oman does not care about that country’s (Saudi Arabia’s) proposal for the establishment of a regional union. Qatar is also opposed to that country’s plans,” he explained.
Saudi Arabia has invited Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to attend the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting in the city of Jeddah.
However, the Iranian top diplomat said on June 1 that he could not take up the invitation since the conference coincides with the upcoming nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers in Vienna.
The next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) will start on June 16 and Zarif, as Iran’s chief negotiator, will attend the talks.