Angry at Criticism by Saudi Prince, Iran Accuses Him of ‘Unveiled Threat’
By RICK GLADSTONEMAY 4, 2017
Iran responded angrily on Thursday to criticisms by Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, accusing him of acts
that violate the United Nations Charter and calling his kingdom an instigator of "dangerous ambitions in the region and beyond." The Iranian response came in a formal protest letter sent to the United Nations Security Council and to Secretary General António Guterres by Iran’s ambassador, Gholamali Khoshroo.
Mr. Khoshroo’s two-page letter, shared with news agencies, came two days after Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful deputy crown prince and defense minister of Saudi Arabia, said in a television interview
that the Saudis would never talk with the Iranians, slamming the door on the prospect of dialogue between them.
" the letter said. that This blatant threat and admission is being made by a regime with a long record of supporting aggression
and using terrorist and extremist groups for its shortsighted and dangerous ambitions in the region and beyond,
that While categorically rejecting the baseless allegations against my country, I wish to underline
that his statement reflects an unveiled threat against the Islamic Republic of Iran,
The prince also said in the interview, with a Saudi broadcaster,
that "we won’t wait for the battle to be in Saudi Arabia." "Instead," he continued, "we’ll work so that the battle is for them in Iran." It was that remark in particular that appeared to anger the Iranians.