Zarif: Iran seeking good ties with neighbors

EghtesadOnline: Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday elaborated on his handshake with his Saudi counterpart, calling it a 'natural' move in international diplomatic meetings and stressing good ties with neighbors as Iran's priority.

News ID: ۷۴۳۱۶۱

02 August 2017

'In international organizations' gatherings, such moves are natural,' Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated his previous explanation on the issue.

According to IRNA, the Foreign Minister and Adel al-Jubeir on Tuesday hugged and shook hands on the sidelines of Organization Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) meeting in Istanbul.

The hand shaking was made in the ceremony hosted by Turkey's Foreign Minister, he added.

'Mr. Adel al-Jubeir and I have long known each other, and that was another greeting,' Zarif said.

'Although Islamic Republic of Iran does not agree with many policies of Saudi Arabia, its own policies have always been based on establishing good ties with neighbors,' the Foreign Minister added.

Previously, Zarif had also argued that the handshake was a diplomatic norm and an indication of his longstanding acquaintance with the Saudi official.