Iran's foreign minister in Kuwait to mourn late emir, seek expansion of ties

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Kuwait’s newly crowned emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Sunday

Amir-Abdollahian left Tehran for Kuwait earlier in the day to meet the new emir and extend his condolences to the government and people of Kuwait over the death of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah on behalf of President Ebrahim Raisi, his office said.

Sheikh Nawaf died on Saturday at the age of 86. He has been succeeded by 83-year-old crown prince and half-brother Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

Nawaf served as emir of Kuwait for more than three years. He took the reins in September 2020 following the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah.

In his meeting with Sheikh Meshal, Amir-Abdollahian conveyed condolences from the president, people and government of Iran on the death of his half-brother and congratulated him on assuming the post, he told the media.

He also reaffirmed Iran's support for the Arab country and expressed hope that relations between the two countries will develop further under the new leadership in Kuwait.

He said the two sides agreed to expand bilateral ties in line with the Raisi government's "neighborhood first" policy that prioritizes relations with countries in the region.

The new emir conveyed his "warm greetings" to the Iranian leadership and thanked them for their condolences, Iran's foreign minister told reporters after the meeting.

He said the new emir has instructed his ministers to "speedily follow up on the expansion of relations (with Iran) in all areas."

President Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian issued separate statements of condolences on Saturday over the demise of Sheikh Nawaf.

In his statement, Amir-Abdollahian wished "success, dignity and security" for the government and people of the Arab country.

Relations between Iran and Kuwait have improved under the Raisi government, although a long-running dispute continues between the two countries over the Dorra/Arash gas field.