King Salman slams Iran, hails Saudi efforts in fighting virus

The king reaffirms his support for an independent Palestinian state with Arab East Jerusalem as its capital, though he also welcomes efforts aimed at bringing an end to the conflict

RIYADH

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud slammed rival Iran and hailed his country’s efforts at combating the coronavirus and stabilising oil supplies in an annual speech delivered early Thursday.

The speech, which outlined the country’s policy priorities and achievements, was delivered virtually by the 82-year-old monarch to the advisory Shura Council in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

On foreign policy, he stressed that threats from Iran remain a top concern. He accused Iran of supporting terrorism and fueling sectarianism in the region.

Although the king made no mention of it in his speech, another issue facing the kingdom next year will be its relationship with a new US administration led by President-elect Joe Biden.

The Saudi leadership has strongly favoured President Donald Trump’s maximum pressure policy against rival Iran.

The king stressed the necessity of “finding a radical solution to ensure Iran does not acquire weapons of mass destruction.”

“Saudi Arabia affirms the danger of the Iranian regime’s regional project,” he said.