Bahrain Mirror: The Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, said that the Gulf States listened to some of Iran's views concerning disputed issues, which he described as "neither deep nor direct."

In an interview with the Saudi Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, the FM stated that the gates of the Gulf States "are open before Iran, on the condition that it commits to the principles of good neighbourliness, respecting the sovereignty of states, not interfering in their internal affairs and casting off sectarianism." He further noted that the "differences remain vast between the Gulf countries and Iran."

Regarding the future of Gulf-Iran talks, the FM said that the matter is still in its primary stage, "yet some of the views expressed are not very deep nor direct concerning a number of disputed issues between us. We; however, do not shut the door [of dialogue] and will introduce a report on the matter to the leader of the GCC states in the next meeting."

The minister called on Iran to reach its hand out to the region, claiming that the Gulf ""has always reached out but in many cases, we did not receive any cooperation from them."

Arabic Version