“The Saudi regime is a war criminal for its all-out support for ISIL and its terrorist acts in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon as well as its state terrorism in Bahrain and the numerous crimes it has committed by attacking hospitals, schools, houses and the infrastructure of Yemen,” said Maj. Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi on Thursday.
“This regime has bought the silence of international communities by spending dollars and flaunting its huge oil reservoirs, and these days is seeking to continue its crimes against prominent religious scholars,” he said, referring to Saudi court's death sentence for Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr Shia prominent cleric.
“The arrogant Saudi authorities must be held responsible before their own nation and other regional countries for their insane acts and behaviors,” stressed Firouzabadi, adding severe consequences are awaiting Saudi rulers.
The Iranian major general called into question the participation of Saudi Arabia in the peace conference in Vienna aimed at exploring ways to end over four years of deadly violence in Syria, saying the presence of a war criminal who backs terrorism in Syria talks is ‘suspicious’ and ‘illegitimate.’
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif left Tehran to Vienna today to attend Syria peace talks on Friday.
On Wednesday, Marzieh Afkham was quoted by foreign ministry’s media relations office saying that in response to an invitation for the Islamic Republic of Iran to the session, Zarif would lead a high ranking political mission to Vienna, the meeting venue.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State John Kerry as well as several top European and Arab diplomats will also be present in the discussions.
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