The National, November 22, 2017 – In a blistering critique of Iran’s regional policy, Prince Turki Al Faisal told The National that its government is running on a “transnational sectarian ambition” and that the time is not conducive for Saudi-Iranian talks.
Saudi Arabia’s former chief of general intelligence described the economic and social changes under way in his country as “transformational” and “on the right track”.
He anticipated more progress in talks between Riyadh and Baghdad after Saudi Arabia strengthened economic and political links with a flurry of diplomacy this year.
On Iran, Prince Turki agreed with the Trump administration that parts of the nuclear deal should be renegotiated to guarantee its sustainability over the long term.
“When it comes to the nuclear deal, 15 years [duration of the deal signed in 2015] is a blink of an eye in a nation’s history,” Prince Turki said. “Countries in the region need assurances that things won’t return to be threatening after that period with Iran’s nuclear programme and enrichment levels.”
Prince Turki served for more than 20 years as head of the country’s intelligence agency, before standing down in 2001. He went on to serve as ambassador to the US before taking his current position as chairman of the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh.
Regionally, Prince Turki, who spoke to The National during a visit to Washington this week, saw no room for Saudi-Iran negotiations in the current charged environment.
“We have seen no improvement in Iran’s behaviour since the signing of the deal, their reach and recruiting of proxies has even gone beyond the Arab World, it’s driving a transnational sectarian ambition deep into Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he said.
Prince Turki recalled the torching of the Saudi embassy in Tehran in January 2016.
“It’s been almost two years since the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran and we haven’t seen even an apology from Iran,” he said. “There is no sign at all for engagement or new room for negotiations.”