Iran 'sponsors terrorism', eleven Arab states tell UN

Eleven Arab states sign a letter submitted to the General Assembly accusing the Islamic Republic of backing 'terrorists' in the region.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

15 November, 2016

Iran backs powerful insurgent groups such as the Houthis in Yemen and Lebanon's Hizballah [Anadolu]

Eleven Middle East and North African countries accused Iran of sponsoring "terrorism" and constantly interfering in the internal affairs of Arab nations, sparking tension and instability in the region.

In a letter to the UN General Assembly circulated on Monday, the 11 countries cited Iran's support for Houthi rebels in Yemen and Lebanon's Hizballah, which has sent fighters to battle alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria.

The 11 states also accused Iran of supporting "terrorist groups and cells" in Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and elsewhere.

They reiterated a statement by Bahrain's foreign minister in September that they only way forward for Iran is "to comprehensively change its foreign policies and end hostilities".

The letter, organised by the UAE, was signed by Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen.

Last week, a senior Saudi prince urged US President-elect Donald Trump to admonish Tehran over "destabilising activities" in the region.

Prince Turki al-Faisal said the US should caution the Islamic State over its "very adventurous and very destabilising activities" in the Middle East.

The Saudi prince said Iranian troops are backing the Iraqi and Syrian governments while also providing assistance to powerful insurgent groups such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hizballah in Lebanon.