Iran warns Saudis of interference amid progress of rapprochement

Iran has warned Saudi Arabia that its media campaign aimed at stoking tensions in recent riots in Iran will backfire on the Saudi regime, amid the progress of rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said on Saturday his country continues to extend its hand to Iran for a "positive relationship."

Prince Faisal made the remarks at a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Secretary General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council Nayef Falah al-Hajraf, following the China-Arab States Summit in Riyadh.

Despite this, the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) gave Saudi Arabia an ultimatum on October 17, cautioning it against interfering in Iran’s internal affairs through the kingdom's news media outlets that seek to lead the Iranian youths astray.

Major General Hossein Salami stressed the importance of maintaining national security as a principled policy of Iran and reminded the neighbors that the Islamic Republic pursues the policy of friendship and fraternity as long as the enemies hatch no plot against it.

Saudi-sponsored media have stepped up their rhetoric against Iran amid the recent protests and deadly riots in the country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.

Iranians have held protests over the passing of Amini. However, some extremist elements derailed the protests and incited violence against security forces. Western-backed media outlets have also encouraged violence. Iran says it will not allow interference in its internal affairs.

The foreign-backed violent riots have also claimed dozens of lives from both security forces and ordinary people as the Western media and Persian-language news networks continue to provoke riots in Iran.