Saudi Arabia, Jordan Discuss Iran's 'Destabilizing Role', Nuclear Program

Saudi and Jordanian foreign ministers discussed regional issues Monday, including Iran’s “destabilizing role” and the need to rein in its nuclear program.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said after the meeting in Amman that the two sides “discussed the destabilizing Iranian role in the security and stability of the region and the world, and its support for militias. We also stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and make the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction.”

Iran’s arch-rival Sunni Muslim state, however, sounded a reconciliatory note. “However, our hands, as Arabs, are extended to our brothers in Iran if they respond to addressing these Arab concerns regarding the security and stability of the region."

Jordanian foreign minister Ayman al-Safadi condemned “all terrorist attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” and pledged Jordan’s support for Riyadh’s efforts to protect its security.

Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen regularly launch drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh and Tehran held talks last year to reduce tensions with the aim of restoring diplomatic ties broken since January 2016. So far, the talks have been exploratory with no tangible results.