Iran calls for expansion of Saudi ties, felicitates new King Salman
Iran has called for the expansion of relations between Tehran and Riyadh as Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ascends to the throne.
President Hassan Rouhani expressed hope for the matter in a letter issued on Saturday, congratulating King Salman on his succession to throne.
“I hope that in the time lying ahead, with regard to the religious and historical bonds between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the relations between the two countries expand in all areas of mutual interest,” the Iranian president stated in the letter.
He further wished King Salman success in his new post, and the Saudi nation and government prosperity.
King Abdullah died on January 23 at the age of 90 after weeks of being hospitalized with a lung infection. He had suffered frequent periods of ill health in recent years.
No change in Saudi policies
King Abdullah’s successor and half-brother, Salman, has promised continuity in the policies the Kingdom will follow after the late monarch.
“We will continue adhering to the correct policies which Saudi Arabia has followed since its establishment,” Salman said in a televised speech on Friday, adding, “The Arab and the Islamic nations are in dire need for solidarity and cohesion.”
Salman had been serving as defense minister since 2011 and was increasingly moving toward taking over from his predecessor.
Challenges
The new monarch, who has suffered at least one stroke that has left him with limited movement on his left arm and is believed to be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, is taking over at a time when King Abdullah’s demise is expected to fuel a power struggle within the ruling family.
His succession also coincides with the Kingdom’s grappling with dissent in the east and the region’s attempting to deal with the repercussions of the terrorism funded and the extremism exported by Riyadh.
Riyadh has also turned into a butt of criticism for sending shockwaves throughout the international economy by allegedly fixing oil prices.
IA/HSN/KA
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