TEHRAN – UN chief António Guterres has praised an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic ties after seven years of estrangement, terming it as “a turning point” that marks the beginning of a new era of constructive interactions in the Middle East.
Guterres pointed to a UN conference on Afghanistan in the Qatari capital of Doha in early May, stating that all participants in the two-day meeting reached a consensus on the need to form an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan, fight against terrorism, support and empower Afghanistan’s economy, fight against drug production and trafficking, and secure the right to education for girls and women in the country.
The UN chief praised Iran for hosting millions of Afghan refugees and underscored the need for international assistance to the Islamic Republic to ease the burden.
He also expressed hope that the Ukraine war would come to an end as soon as possible, referring to a peace initiative developed by a group of African heads of state, and the meeting of senior officials in Istanbul to extend a deal allowing exports of Ukrainian grain and agricultural fertilizers through the Black Sea.
Guterres further stressed the need for a sustainable ceasefire in Yemen, and praised Iran’s important and constructive role in the region.
For his part, Amir-Abdollahian described the closed-door summit on Afghanistan in Qatar as positive, stating that Iran has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees and assisting them with various services for decades.
The management of such a high number of refugees requires international attention and support, the Iranian foreign minister said.
The minister also expressed hope that the war and siege in Yemen would come to a close as soon as possible.
Amir-Abdollahian underlined Iran’s vehement opposition to the Ukraine war, expressing hope that the parties involved would return to the path of dialogue, end the war and establish peace.
The Iranian foreign minister and the UN chief also discussed issues related to the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal and removal of sanctions, besides Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to resolve remaining issues.