Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said there are two major causes of conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia. If the conflicts between the two countries are resolved, it will have a positive impact not only in the Middle East but also globally.
In an interview with AFP, the former Iranian president said that there are two factors that do not create a warm and constructive element in the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The first reason is competition. Wherever there was competition between Saudi Arabia and Iran, both lost and the region was affected.
He said that no one wins the competition between the two countries, both lose. There should be constructive, fraternal and friendly cooperation between the two countries. This is in the interest of both countries, the region and the world.
Ahmadinejad said the second reason was the two's interference in other countries' affairs and that such interference affected their relations. The solution is for the two countries to decide forever to turn their rivalry into cooperation and friendship and not allow any other reason to interfere in bilateral relations.
He stressed on Iran and Saudi Arabia that the situation in the world is changing rapidly and in these circumstances we have to be patient.
The former Iranian president said that Iran and Saudi Arabia have a lot in common compared to differences. I traveled to Saudi Arabia many times. Attended a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council. I went to all the Gulf countries and reached out to them.
"We tried to build a strong and fraternal relationship, which resulted in good cooperation, but in the end, the mistakes made by both sides cooled the relationship," he told The Daily.