Hezbollah’s leader upholds Iran talks with Saudi Arabia and US

The leader of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group on Friday expressed his support for Iran talks with Saudi Arabia and the US.

In a televised address, Hassan Nasrallah said that Iran talks with Saudi Arabia and the US would benefit Tehran and its allies, while also calming regional tensions. Iran is a top backer of Hezbollah.

The United States and Iran have recently resumed indirect talks in order to get Tehran and Washington to return to the nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Iran are holding talks in Iraq as Riyadh tries to end its years-long conflict in Yemen, where the kingdom is battling Iran-backed rebels.

“Any Iranian dialogue with international, regional, or Arab forces is welcomed by us.” During the hour-long address, Hassan Nasrallah said. “We believe it would help to de-escalate tensions in the area.”

Comments of Nasrallah were his first since news broke last month of Tehran-Riyadh talks mediated by Baghdad.

The re-engagement of the United States with Iran has caused increasing unease among Gulf Arab allies. Tehran and Washington have suggested resuming Iran’s nuclear agreement with world powers through intermediaries in Vienna.

Former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018. He was claiming that it did not go far enough to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran claims that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Nuclear Deal

A return to the nuclear deal, according to Washington’s Gulf Arab allies, should resolve Iran’s support for regional proxies such as Hezbollah.

Iran insists its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. Washington’s Gulf Arab allies have been pressing that a return to the nuclear deal should address Iran’s support for regional proxies, including Hezbollah.

Iran has “never sold out its partners and associates,” according to Nasrallah. Tehran has also “never given or sacrificed their rights, and never even mediated with them.”

He also said that he could no confirm or refute news of Saudi Arabia and Syria holding secret talks. Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Riyadh has boycotted the government of Damascus.

As Syrian President Bashar Assad, has solidified his hold on influence, such talks will be “logical,” Nasrallah said. Riyadh, along with other regional powers such as Turkey, has supported Syria’s opposition since the civil war began in 2011.