Iran’s Khamenei urges dialogue to settle regional issues

Tehran, June 5 (IANS) Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday called for settling issues in the region through dialogue.

"Foreigners, including Saudi Arabia, should stop their interference in the internal affairs of Syria, Yemen and Bahrain," Xinhua quoted Khamenei as saying.

He added that the people of these states should decide the fate of their countries through political dialogue.

Certain foreign states should also stop sending arms to the terrorists inside the crisis-stricken regional countries, Khamenei stressed.

The Iranian leader also condemned what he called the "illogical" presence of Saudi Arabia in Bahrain and said the Bahraini government must engage in negotiations with the people of the country.

Khamenei regretted that people in some Muslim countries, including Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and Libya, are facing numerous problems even in the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The leader warned that enemies are waging "proxy wars" in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen as well as other parts of the Muslim world.

Khamenei also called on Saudi Arabia to stop what he called "crimes against the innocents" in Yemen.

"Saudi Arabia makes a mistake by bombing Yemeni people," he said.

"Saudi Arabia is better to know that even if they insist on their current policy for 10 or 20 years, they won't be able to defeat Yemeni people."

"This is a crime that they are committing against the innocent people in Yemen which will bear no fruit," he added.

Khamenei also criticised US President Donald Trump for casting support for Saudi Arabian rulers.