Senior Official Warns of S. Arabia’s Attempts to Foment Insecurity in Iran

“The enemy is trying to use the internal elements (mercenaries) in Sistan and Balouchestan region and establish an operational base by Saudi Arabia in the Eastern parts to stir insecurity and carry out terrorist acts,” General Jalali said, addressing a forum in Tehran on Sunday.

Warning that the same hostile attempts are being made in the Western parts of the country, he said, “Fortunately, they have failed to achieve any result.”

His comments came after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in remarks alluding to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s earlier threats against Iran blamed Riyadh for the June 7 terrorist attacks in Tehran.

“Terror-sponsoring despots threaten to bring the fight to our homeland. Proxies attack what their masters despise most: the seat of democracy,” Zarif wrote on his twitter page after terrorists attacked the Iranian parliament and the holy shrine of late Imam Khomeini in Tehran which killed 18 and wounded 52 others.

His remarks alluded to the comments made by bin Salman a few weeks ago, warning that his country would take the battle to Iranian soil.

The 31-year-old prince who is second in line to the throne and serves as defense minister, said early May that Saudi Arabia would fight what he called Iran’s efforts to extend its influence.

“We are a primary target for the Iranian regime,” bin Salman added, accusing Iran of seeking to take over Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia.

“We won’t wait for the battle to be in Saudi Arabia. Instead, we’ll work so that the battle is for them in Iran,” he added.

Also, just hours before the two terrorist attacks in Tehran which killed and wounded several people, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir underlined that Iran must be punished for what he claimed as interference in the region and support for terrorist organizations.