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Rafsanjani: Saudi-Iran cooperation can fix regional issues

Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani has said that cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia can resolve some issues, but conceded that there are still many differences at the moment.
EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani gives the opening speech during Iran's Assembly of Experts' biannual meeting in Tehran March 8, 2011. Rafsanjani lost his position on Tuesday as head of an important state clerical body after hardliners criticised him for being too close to the reformist opposition. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: POLITIC
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Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, head of Iran’s Expediency Council, has said that to resolve many of the issues plaguing the Middle East, there needs to be cooperation between the two regional rivals, Iran and Saudi Arabia. In an extensive interview with Mehr News Agency, when Rafsanjani was asked about Iran-Saudi relations, he said that after statements by Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati about the passing of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, “The situation became worse.”

During Friday prayers, in a dig at Rafsanjani, Jannati said of the passing of the king that condolences must be sent to the United States, Israel and “those inside who eat from his table,” and “congratulations” must be given to the faithful. Jannati’s comments were condemned by the Gulf Cooperation Council and even some Shiite religious leaders in Iran. Iranian opposition website Saham reported that as a result of Jannati’s comments, Iranian clerics who lead groups to Mecca were prevented from entering Saudi Arabia and that other Iranian clerics were even strip-searched inside the country.

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